Log In | Become a Member

Record High Numbers for 2013 Public Transportation Ridership, SunRail May Bring More

March 10, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - A new report shows record high numbers for mass transit ridership in the States.

[object Object]

Last year, Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation, according to new data from the American Public Transportation Association.

The association says it’s the highest number of annual riders in over 50 years, and it shows people are making a fundamental shift in how they get around.

Bruce Stephenson of Rollins College’s Civic Urbanism Program says it all boils down to simple economics.

“I think It’s just an economic reality that if you give people the option of not having to drive, they’ll take it. Simply because there’s a higher demand than supply for walkable places,” Stephenson says.

But he doesn't think people will get rid of their cars completely. 

“The car will become an option for people, they’re not going to get rid of their car, but they’ll also learn the whole culture of transit,” he says.

Stephensen thinks Florida will experience a spike in mass transit numbers as a result of the SunRail commuter train line, opening in May.

 

All active news articles