US Metropolitan Area
Public Transport Ridership Trend:
Regional Summary: 1980-1996

1996 US Metropolitan Area Public Transport Statistics Index

CONTENTS

Summary National Data
Changes in Population, Ridership & Operating Costs by State
Table #1: Summary of Percentage Changes: 1983 to 1995
Table #2: Population by State
Table #3: Annual Boardings by State
Table #4: Annual Operating Costs by State
Table #5: Annual Boardings per Capita by State
Table #6: Operating Cost per Boarding by State
Table #7: States Ranked by 1995 Boardings
Table #8: States Ranked by Change in Annual Boardings
Table #9: States Ranked by Percentage Change in Annual Boardings
Table #10: States Ranked by 1995 per Capita Boardings
Table #11: States Ranked by Percentage Change in per Capita Boardings
Table #12: States Ranked by 1995 Operating Cost per Boarding
Table #13: States Ranked by Change in Total Cost
Table #14: States Ranked by Change in Operating Cost per Boarding
Notes

INTRODUCTION

This analysis compares 1995 and 1983 data by state. 1983 was chosen as the base year for two reasons:

  1. 1983 is the first year in which the FTA National Transit Database was comparable to the present method of reporting. From 1979 to 1982 a different fiscal year definition was used making the data from those years not comparable to the present data set.

  2. 1983 was the last year before public transport began receiving an allocation of funding from federal highway user fees.

Table #1
SUMMARY OF CHANGES: 1983 TO 1995
State Population Boardings Operating Expenditures. Per Capita Boardings Cost per Boarding
AK Alaska 26.0% -24.5% -32.8% -40.1% -11.0%
AL Alabama 7.4% -47.7% 151.5% -51.3% 381.0%
AR Arkansas 6.7% 19.2% 16.1% 11.8% -2.6%
AZ Arizona 42.4% 72.6% 53.6% 21.3% -11.0%
CA California 25.5% -1.4% 23.6% -21.5% 25.4%
CO Colorado 19.4% 44.4% 29.1% 21.0% -10.6%
CT Connecticut 4.4% -9.8% 30.0% -13.6% 44.2%
DC District of Columbia -11.0% 23.9% 104.6% 39.3% 65.1%
DE Delaware 18.3% 25.8% 59.3% 6.3% 26.7%
FL Florida 32.6% 28.7% 75.0% -2.9% 35.9%
GA Georgia 25.6% 14.3% 42.1% -9.0% 24.4%
HI Hawaii 16.0% -6.7% 12.8% -19.6% 20.9%
IA Iowa -2.2% 12.5% 3.9% 15.0% -7.6%
ID Idaho 17.6% -60.8% 28.6% -66.7% 228.1%
IL Illinois 3.0% -22.9% 7.4% -25.2% 39.3%
IN Indiana 5.9% -28.7% 38.6 -32.7% 94.3%
KS Kansas 5.8% -9.1% 11.3% -14.0% 22.4%
KY Kentucky 3.9% -24.8% -6.9% -27.7% 23.9%
LA Louisiana -2.2% -4.1% 0.9% -2.0% 5.2%
MA Massachusetts 5.3% 16.3% 41.6% 10.4% 21.7%
MD Maryland 17.2% 18.5% 78.0% 1.2% 50.2%
ME Maine 8.3% -37.4% 16.0% -42.2% 85.2%
MI Michigan 5.3% -48.1% -20.0% -50.7% 54.1%
MN Minnesota 11.2% -18.9% -3.1% -27.1% 19.6%
MO Missouri 7.1% -11.2% -8.8% -17.1% 2.7%
MS Mississippi 4.3% -43.7% 9.1% -46.0% 93.7%
MT Montana 6.5% 39.4% 54.1% 30.9% 10.6%
NC North Carolina 18.3% 28.3% 64.2% 8.5% 28.0%
ND North Dakota -5.7%

Incomplete 1983 data

NE Nebraska 2.5% -46.3% -30.7% -47.6% 29.1%
NH New Hampshire 19.7% -28.9% 11.3% -40.6% 56.5%
NJ New Jersey 6.4% 3.3% 71.0% -2.9% 65.6%
NM New Mexico 20.5% 32.3% 59.6% 9.8% 20.6%
NV Nevada 71.7% 416.7% 388.9% 200.9% -5.4%
NY New York 2.7% -22.5% 38.2% -24.5% 78.5%
OH Ohio 3.8% -39.3% 9.8% -41.5% 80.7%
OK Oklahoma -0.6% -9.4% -10.9% -8.9% -1.6%
OR Oregon 18.0% 37.3% 32.1% 16.4% -3.8%
PA Pennsylvania 1.5% -13.9% 10.6% -15.1% 28.4%
RI Rhode Island 3.6% -34.7% 12.5% -37.0% 72.4%
SC South Carolina 12.5%

Incomplete 1983 data

SD South Dakota 4.1% -1.3% 60.9% -5.3% 63.0%
TN Tennessee 12.2% -10.9% 7.1% -20.5% 20.1%
TX Texas 19.1% 50.8% 68.8% 26.7% 11.9%
UT Utah 20.5% 46.3% 47.5% 21.4% 0.8%
VA Virginia 19.2% -19.3% 52.0% -32.3% 88.3%
VT Vermont 11.4% -2.6% 30.5% -12.6% 34.0%
WA Washington 26.3% 11.2% 66.3% -11.9% 49.5%
WI Wisconsin 7.8% -27.1% 2.4% -32.4% 40.4%
WV West Virginia -7.0% -37.6% -16.3% -32.9% 34.1%
WY Wyoming -6.6%

No systems in FTA data base

US United States 12.3% -9.9% 32.7% -19.8% 47.3%
Includes 5 modes: Motor bus, trolley bus (electric bus), tram (light rail or street car), metro (subway, elevated, underground or heavy rail) and commuter rail (regional rail).


Table #2
POPULATION BY STATE
State 1983 1995 Change
AK 479 604 26.0%
AL 3,959 4,253 7.4%
AR 2,328 2,484 6.7%
AZ 2,963 4,218 42.4%
CA 25,174 31,589 25.5%
CO 3,139 3,747 19.4%
CT 3,138 3,275 4.4%
DC 623 554 -11.0%
DE 606 717 18.3%
FL 10,680 14,166 32.6%
GA 5,732 7,201 25.6%
HI 1,023 1,187 16.0%
IA 2,905 2,842 -2.2%
ID 989 1,163 17.6%
IL 11,486 11,830 3.0%
IN 5,479 5,803 5.9%
KS 2,425 2,565 5.8%
KY 3,714 3,860 3.9%
LA 4,438 4,342 -2.2%
MA 5,767 6,074 5.3%
MD 4,304 5,042 17.2%
ME 1,146 1,241 8.3%
MI 9,069 9,549 5.3%
MN 4,144 4,610 11.2%
MO 4,970 5,324 7.1%
MS 2,587 2,697 4.3%
MT 817 870 6.5%
NC 6,082 7,195 18.3%
ND 680 641 -5.7%
NE 1,597 1,637 2.5%
NH 959 1,148 19.7%
NJ 7,468 7,945 6.4%
NM 1,399 1,685 20.5%
NV 891 1,530 71.7%
NY 17,667 18,136 2.7%
OH 10,746 11,151 3.8%
OK 3,298 3,278 -0.6%
OR 2,662 3,141 18.0%
PA 11,895 12,072 1.5%
RI 955 990 3.6%
SC 3,264 3,673 12.5%
SD 700 729 4.1%
TN 4,685 5,256 12.2%
TX 15,724 18,724 19.1%
UT 1,619 1,951 20.5%
VA 5,550 6,618 19.2%
VT 525 585 11.4%
WA 4,300 5,431 26.3%
WI 4,751 5,123 7.8%
WV 1,965 1,828 -7.0%
WY 514 480 -6.6%
Total 233,980 262,755 12.3%
Population in thousands
Table #3
ANNUAL BOARDINGS BY STATE
State 1983 1995 Change % Change
AK 3,999 3,020 (979) -24.5%
AL 16,948 8,861 (8,087) -47.7%
AR 3,249 3,874 625 19.2%
AZ 30,577 52,787 22,210 72.6%
CA 1,094,256 1,078,567 (15,690) -1.4%
CO 50,720 73,250 22,530 44.4%
CT 50,350 45,403 (4,947) -9.8%
DC 278,448 344,970 66,522 23.9%
DE 5,443 6,844 1,402 25.8%
FL 126,045 162,269 36,224 28.7%
GA 136,422 155,917 19,496 14.3%
HI 78,184 72,960 (5,224) -6.7%
IA 11,847 13,326 1,479 12.5%
ID 4,115 1,612 (2,503) -60.8%
IL 727,456 560,563 (166,892) -22.9%
IN 34,445 24,558 (9,886) -28.7%
KS 4,065 3,696 (369) -9.1%
KY 33,365 25,077 (8,289) -24.8%
LA 90,488 86,787 (3,700) -4.1%
MA 296,830 345,210 48,380 16.3%
MD 107,357 127,253 19,896 18.5%
ME 2,837 1,776 (1,060) -37.4%
MI 166,087 86,187 (79,900) -48.1%
MN 82,606 66,958 (15,649) -18.9%
MO 75,870 67,351 (8,519) -11.2%
MS 2,309 1,301 (1,008) -43.7%
MT 1,209 1,685 476 39.4%
NC 22,545 28,933 6,388 28.3%
ND 521 1,211 691 132.6%
NE 11,700 6,280 (5,419) -46.3%
NH 1,533 1,090 (443) -28.9%
NJ 247,124 255,212 8,088 3.3%
NM 5,850 7,739 1,889 32.3%
NV 7,087 36,616 29,529 416.7%
NY 3,018,910 2,338,431 (680,479) -22.5%
OH 211,054 128,168 (82,886) -39.3%
OK 7,255 6,570 (685) -9.4%
OR 54,590 74,977 20,387 37.3%
PA 486,442 419,062 (67,379) -13.9%
RI 22,839 14,903 (7,936) -34.7%
SC 464 8,836 8,372 1805.0%
SD 700 691 (9) -1.3%
TN 30,121 26,849 (3,272) -10.9%
TX 163,265 246,259 82,994 50.8%
UT 17,329 25,346 8,017 46.3%
VA 50,037 40,376 (9,660) -19.3%
VT 1,639 1,596 (43) -2.6%
WA 114,428 127,279 12,851 11.2%
WI 106,119 77,369 (28,750) -27.1%
WV 5,019 3,131 (1,888) -37.6%
Total 8,102,091 7,298,987 (803,104) -9.9%
Boardings in thousands


Table #4
ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS BY STATE
State 1983 1995 Change % Change
AK $14.9 $10.0 ($4.9) -32.8%
AL $7.6 $19.2 $11.6 151.5%
AR $5.7 $6.6 $0.9 16.1%
AZ $48.9 $75.0 $26.2 53.6%
CA $1,718.0 $2,123.8 $405.8 23.6%
CO $120.9 $156.1 $35.2 29.1%
CT $69.0 $89.7 $20.7 30.0%
DC $314.0 $642.4 $328.4 104.6%
DE $11.2 $17.9 $6.7 59.3%
FL $212.6 $372.0 $159.4 75.0%
GA $159.0 $226.0 $67.0 42.1%
HI $78.2 $88.3 $10.0 12.8%
IA $20.7 $21.5 $0.8 3.9%
ID $2.5 $3.2 $0.7 28.6%
IL $1,146.6 $1,231.1 84.5 7.6%
IN $55.4 $76.7 $21.3 38.5%
KS $7.8 $8.7 $0.9 11.3%
KY $46.1 $42.9 ($3.2) -6.9%
LA $107.5 $108.5 $1.0 0.9%
MA $422.4 $597.9 $175.5 41.6%
MD $148.5 $264.4 $115.9 78.0%
ME $3.7 $4.2 $0.6 16.0%
MI $253.5 $202.7 ($50.8) -20.0%
MN $141.5 $137.1 ($4.4) -3.1%
MO $160.8 $146.7 ($14.2) -8.8%
MS $4.0 $4.3 $0.4 9.1%
MT $3.1 $4.7 $1.7 54.1%
NC $29.7 $48.8 $19.1 64.2%
ND $1.6 $2.1 $0.5 31.7%
NE $24.0 $16.6 ($7.4) -30.7%
NH $3.0 $3.3 $0.3 11.3%
NJ $538.1 $920.0 $381.9 71.0%
NM $11.0 $17.6 $6.6 59.6%
NV $7.7 $37.7 $30.0 388.9%
NY $3,696.8 $5,110.3 $1,413.5 38.2%
OH $313.5 $344.1 $30.6 9.8%
OK $18.3 $16.3 ($2.0) -10.9%
OR $113.8 $150.4 $36.6 32.1%
PA $761.3 $842.2 $80.9 10.6%
RI $28.4 $31.9 $3.5 12.5%
SC $1.4 $14.0 $12.6 919.7%
SD $1.1 $1.8 $0.7 60.9%
TN $50.0 $53.6 $3.5 7.1%
TX $308.2 $520.4 $212.2 68.8%
UT $33.6 $49.6 $16.0 47.5%
VA $55.1 $83.7 $28.6 52.0%
VT $2.2 $2.8 $0.7 30.5%
WA $218.1 $362.8 $144.6 66.3%
WI $133.4 $136.5 $3.1 2.4%
WV $12.2 $10.2 ($2.0) -16.3%
Total $11,647 $15,459 $3,812.0 32.7%
Amounts in Millions


Table #5
ANNUAL BOARDINGS PER CAPITA BY STATE
State 1983 1995 Change
AK 8.3 5.0 -40.1%
AL 4.3 2.1 -51.3%
AR 1.4 1.6 11.8%
AZ 10.3 12.5 21.3%
CA 43.5 34.1 -21.5%
CO 16.2 19.6 21.0%
CT 16.0 13.9 -13.6%
DC 446.9 622.4 39.3%
DE 9.0 9.5 6.3%
FL 11.8 11.5 -2.9%
GA 23.8 21.7 -9.0%
HI 76.4 61.5 -19.6%
IA 4.1 4.7 15.0%
ID 4.2 1.4 -66.7%
IL 63.3 47.4 -25.2%
IN 6.3 4.2 -32.7%
KS 1.7 1.4 -14.0%
KY 9.0 6.5 -27.7%
LA 20.4 20.0 -2.0%
MA 51.5 56.8 10.4%
MD 24.9 25.2 1.2%
ME 2.5 1.4 -42.2%
MI 18.3 9.0 -50.7%
MN 19.9 14.5 -27.1%
MO 15.3 12.7 -17.1%
MS 0.9 0.5 -46.0%
MT 1.5 1.9 30.9%
NC 3.7 4.0 8.5%
ND 0.8 1.9 146.6%
NE 7.3 3.8 -47.6%
NH 1.6 0.9 -40.6%
NJ 33.1 32.1 -2.9%
NM 4.2 4.6 9.8%
NV 8.0 23.9 200.9%
NY 170.9 128.9 -24.5%
OH 19.6 11.5 -41.5%
OK 2.2 2.0 -8.9%
OR 20.5 23.9 16.4%
PA 40.9 34.7 -15.1%
RI 23.9 15.1 -37.0%
SC 0.1 2.4 1592.8%
SD 1.0 0.9 -5.3%
TN 6.4 5.1 -20.5%
TX 10.4 13.2 26.7%
UT 10.7 13.0 21.4%
VA 9.0 6.1 -32.3%
VT 3.1 2.7 -12.6%
WA 26.6 23.4 -11.9%
WI 22.3 15.1 -32.4%
WV 2.6 1.7 -32.9%
WY 0.0 0.0 0.0%
United States 34.6 27.8 -19.8%
Table #6
OPERATING COST PER BOARDING BY STATE
(1995$)
State 1983 1995 Change % Change

Gross Change in Cost per Boarding*

AK $3.73 $3.32 ($0.41) -11.0% ($1.2)
AL $0.45 $2.16 $1.71 381.0% $15.2
AR $1.74 $1.70 ($0.05) -2.6% ($0.2)
AZ $1.60 $1.42 ($0.18) -11.0% ($9.3)
CA $1.57 $1.97 $0.40 25.4% $430.4
CO $2.38 $2.13 ($0.25) -10.6% ($18.5)
CT $1.37 $1.98 $0.61 44.2% $27.5
DC $1.13 $1.86 $0.73 65.1% $253.4
DE $2.06 $2.62 $0.55 26.7% $3.8
FL $1.69 $2.29 $0.61 35.9% $98.4
GA $1.17 $1.45 $0.28 24.4% $44.3
HI $1.00 $1.21 $0.21 20.9% $15.3
IA $1.75 $1.61 ($0.13) -7.6% ($1.8)
ID $0.61 $2.00 $1.39 228.1% $2.2
IL $1.58 $2.20 $0.62 39.3% $347.6
IN $1.61 $3.12 $1.52 94.3% $37.2
KS $1.92 $2.35 $0.43 22.4% $1.6
KY $1.38 $1.71 $0.33 23.9% $8.3
LA $1.19 $1.25 $0.06 5.2% $5.4
MA $1.42 $1.73 $0.31 21.7% $106.7
MD $1.38 $2.08 $0.69 50.2% $88.4
ME $1.29 $2.38 $1.10 85.2% $1.9
MI $1.53 $2.35 $0.83 54.1% $71.1
MN $1.71 $2.05 $0.33 19.6% $22.4
MO $2.12 $2.18 $0.06 2.7% $3.9
MS $1.71 $3.32 $1.60 93.7% $2.1
MT $2.54 $2.81 $0.27 10.6% $0.5
NC $1.32 $1.69 $0.37 28.0% $10.7
ND $3.02 $1.71 ($1.31) -43.4% ($1.6)
NE $2.05 $2.65 $0.60 29.1% $3.7
NH $1.93 $3.02 $1.09 56.5% $1.2
NJ $2.18 $3.60 $1.43 65.6% $364.3
NM $1.89 $2.28 $0.39 20.6% $3.0
NV $1.09 $1.03 ($0.06) -5.4% ($2.1)
NY $1.22 $2.19 $0.96 78.5% $2,246.8
OH $1.49 $2.68 $1.20 80.7% $153.7
OK $2.53 $2.49 ($0.04) -1.6% ($0.3)
OR $2.09 $2.01 ($0.08) -3.8% ($5.9)
PA $1.56 $2.01 $0.44 28.4% $186.3
RI $1.24 $2.14 $0.90 72.4% $13.4
SC $2.96 $1.58 ($1.37) -46.5% ($12.1)
SD $1.64 $2.67 $1.03 63.0% $0.7
TN $1.66 $1.99 $0.33 20.1% $9.0
TX $1.89 $2.11 $0.23 11.9% $55.5
UT $1.94 $1.96 $0.02 0.8% $0.4
VA $1.10 $2.07 $0.97 88.3% $39.2
VT $1.33 $1.78 $0.45 34.0% $0.7
WA $1.91 $2.85 $0.94 49.5% $120.1
WI $1.26 $1.76 $0.51 40.4% $39.3
WV $2.43 $3.26 $0.83 34.1% $2.6
TOTAL:Operating Costs $1.44 $1.81 $0.38 26.3% $4,966.4
TOTAL:Capital Costs $0.64 $0.93 $0.29 46.4% $2,152.8
TOTAL $2.07 $3.05 $0.98 47.1% $7,119.2
* Change in cost per boarding times 1995 boardings.


Table #7
STATES RANKED BY 1995 BOARDINGS

Rank State 1983 1995 Change
1 NY 3,018,910 2,338,431 -22.5%
2 CA 1,094,256 1,078,567 -1.4%
3 IL 727,456 560,563 -22.9%
4 PA 486,442 419,062 -13.9%
5 MA 296,830 345,210 16.3%
6 DC 278,448 344,970 23.9%
7 NJ 247,124 255,212 3.3%
8 TX 163,265 246,259 50.8%
9 FL 126,045 162,269 28.7%
10 GA 136,422 155,917 14.3%
11 OH 211,054 128,168 -39.3%
12 WA 114,428 127,279 11.2%
13 MD 107,357 127,253 18.5%
14 LA 90,488 86,787 -4.1%
15 MI 166,087 86,187 -48.1%
16 WI 106,119 77,369 -27.1%
17 OR 54,590 74,977 37.3%
18 CO 50,720 73,250 44.4%
19 HI 78,184 72,960 -6.7%
20 MO 75,870 67,351 -11.2%
21 MN 82,606 66,958 -18.9%
22 AZ 30,577 52,787 72.6%
23 CT 50,350 45,403 -9.8%
24 VA 50,037 40,376 -19.3%
25 NV 7,087 36,616 416.7%
26 NC 22,545 28,933 28.3%
27 TN 30,121 26,849 -10.9%
28 UT 17,329 25,346 46.3%
29 KY 33,365 25,077 -24.8%
30 IN 34,445 24,558 -28.7%
31 RI 22,839 14,903 -34.7%
32 IA 11,847 13,326 12.5%
33 AL 16,948 8,861 -47.7%
34 SC 464 8,836 1805.0%
35 NM 5,850 7,739 32.3%
36 DE 5,443 6,844 25.8%
37 OK 7,255 6,570 -9.4%
38 NE 11,700 6,280 -46.3%
39 AR 3,249 3,874 19.2%
40 KS 4,065 3,696 -9.1%
41 WV 5,019 3,131 -37.6%
42 AK 3,999 3,020 -24.5%
43 ME 2,837 1,776 -37.4%
44 MT 1,209 1,685 39.4%
45 ID 4,115 1,612 -60.8%
46 VT 1,639 1,596 -2.6%
47 MS 2,309 1,301 -43.7%
48 ND 521 1,211 132.6%
49 NH 1,533 1,090 -28.9%
50 SD 700 691 -1.3%
DC, MD & VA: The National Transit Database reports all ridership and cost data for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in DC, despite substantial ridership in MD and VA. As a result, DC data is significantly over-reported and data in MD and VA is significantly under-reported.


Table #8
STATES RANKED BY CHANGE IN ANNUAL BOARDINGS
Rank State Change 1983 1985 % Change
1 TX 82,994 163,265 246,259 50.8%
2 DC 66,522 278,448 344,970 23.9%
3 MA 48,380 296,830 345,210 16.3%
4 FL 36,224 126,045 162,269 28.7%
5 NV 29,529 7,087 36,616 416.7%
6 CO 22,530 50,720 73,250 44.4%
7 AZ 22,210 30,577 52,787 72.6%
8 OR 20,387 54,590 74,977 37.3%
9 MD 19,896 107,357 127,253 18.5%
10 GA 19,496 136,422 155,917 14.3%
11 WA 12,851 114,428 127,279 11.2%
12 NJ 8,088 247,124 255,212 3.3%
13 UT 8,017 17,329 25,346 46.3%
14 NC 6,388 22,545 28,933 28.3%
15 NM 1,889 5,850 7,739 32.3%
16 IA 1,479 11,847 13,326 12.5%
17 DE 1,402 5,443 6,844 25.8%
18 AR 625 3,249 3,874 19.2%
19 MT 476 1,209 1,685 39.4%
20 SD (9) 700 691 -1.3%
21 VT (43) 1,639 1,596 -2.6%
22 KS (369) 4,065 3,696 -9.1%
23 NH (443) 1,533 1,090 -28.9%
24 OK (685) 7,255 6,570 -9.4%
25 AK (979) 3,999 3,020 -24.5%
26 MS (1,008) 2,309 1,301 -43.7%
27 ME (1,060) 2,837 1,776 -37.4%
28 WV (1,888) 5,019 3,131 -37.6%
29 ID (2,503) 4,115 1,612 -60.8%
30 TN (3,272) 30,121 26,849 -10.9%
31 LA (3,700) 90,488 86,787 -4.1%
32 CT (4,947) 50,350 45,403 -9.8%
33 HI (5,224) 78,184 72,960 -6.7%
34 NE (5,419) 11,700 6,280 -46.3%
35 RI (7,936) 22,839 14,903 -34.7%
36 AL (8,087) 16,948 8,861 -47.7%
37 KY (8,289) 33,365 25,077 -24.8%
38 MO (8,519) 75,870 67,351 -11.2%
39 VA (9,660) 50,037 40,376 -19.3%
40 IN (9,886) 34,445 24,558 -28.7%
41 MN (15,649) 82,606 66,958 -18.9%
42 CA (15,690) 1,094,256 1,078,567 -1.4%
43 WI (28,750) 106,119 77,369 -27.1%
44 PA (67,379) 486,442 419,062 -13.9%
45 MI (79,900) 166,087 86,187 -48.1%
46 OH (82,886) 211,054 128,168 -39.3%
47 IL (166,892) 727,456 560,563 -22.9%
48 NY (680,479) 3,018,910 2,338,431 -22.5%
ND and SC excluded due to incomplete 1983 data.

Expanded Rail Service and Artificially Higher Boarding Figures in 1995: Urban rail systems were opened or significantly expanded in a number of metroplitan areas between 1983 and 1995. Because such systems force many passengers to split their journeys between buses and rail (transfer), the 1995 boardings figure for states containing these systems is artificially inflated. This effect is likely to exceed five percent in DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri and Oregon

DC, MD & VA: The National Transit Database reports all ridership and cost data for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in DC, despite substantial ridership in MD and VA. As a result, DC data is significantly over-reported and data in MD and VA is significantly under-reported.



Table #9
STATES RANKED BY PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN ANNUAL BOARDINGS
Rank State Change 1983 1985 % Change
1 NV 416.7% 7,087 36,616 29,529
2 AZ 72.6% 30,577 52,787 22,210
3 TX 50.8% 163,265 246,259 82,994
4 UT 46.3% 17,329 25,346 8,017
5 CO 44.4% 50,720 73,250 22,530
6 MT 39.4% 1,209 1,685 476
7 OR 37.3% 54,590 74,977 20,387
8 NM 32.3% 5,850 7,739 1,889
9 FL 28.7% 126,045 162,269 36,224
10 NC 28.3% 22,545 28,933 6,388
11 DE 25.8% 5,443 6,844 1,402
12 DC 23.9% 278,448 344,970 66,522
13 AR 19.2% 3,249 3,874 625
14 MD 18.5% 107,357 127,253 19,896
15 MA 16.3% 296,830 345,210 48,380
16 GA 14.3% 136,422 155,917 19,496
17 IA 12.5% 11,847 13,326 1,479
18 WA 11.2% 114,428 127,279 12,851
19 NJ 3.3% 247,124 255,212 8,088
20 SD -1.3% 700 691 (9)
21 CA -1.4% 1,094,256 1,078,567 (15,690)
22 VT -2.6% 1,639 1,596 (43)
23 LA -4.1% 90,488 86,787 (3,700)
24 HI -6.7% 78,184 72,960 (5,224)
25 KS -9.1% 4,065 3,696 (369)
26 OK -9.4% 7,255 6,570 (685)
27 CT -9.8% 50,350 45,403 (4,947)
28 TN -10.9% 30,121 26,849 (3,272)
29 MO -11.2% 75,870 67,351 (8,519)
30 PA -13.9% 486,442 419,062 (67,379)
31 MN -18.9% 82,606 66,958 (15,649)
32 VA -19.3% 50,037 40,376 (9,660)
33 NY -22.5% 3,018,910 2,338,431 (680,479)
34 IL -22.9% 727,456 560,563 (166,892)
35 AK -24.5% 3,999 3,020 (979)
36 KY -24.8% 33,365 25,077 (8,289)
37 WI -27.1% 106,119 77,369 (28,750)
38 IN -28.7% 34,445 24,558 (9,886)
39 NH -28.9% 1,533 1,090 (443)
40 RI -34.7% 22,839 14,903 (7,936)
41 ME -37.4% 2,837 1,776 (1,060)
42 WV -37.6% 5,019 3,131 (1,888)
43 OH -39.3% 211,054 128,168 (82,886)
44 MS -43.7% 2,309 1,301 (1,008)
45 NE -46.3% 11,700 6,280 (5,419)
46 AL -47.7% 16,948 8,861 (8,087)
47 MI -48.1% 166,087 86,187 (79,900)
48 ID -60.8% 4,115 1,612 (2,503)
ND and SC excluded due to incomplete 1983 data. Expanded Rail Service and Artificially Higher Boarding Figures in 1995: Urban rail systems were opened or significantly expanded in a number of metroplitan areas between 1983 and 1995. Because such systems force many passengers to split their journeys between buses and rail (transfer), the 1995 boardings figure for states containing these systems is artificially inflated. This effect is likely to exceed five percent in DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri and Oregon

DC, MD & VA: The National Transit Database reports all ridership and cost data for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in DC, despite substantial ridership in MD and VA. As a result, DC data is significantly over-reported and data in MD and VA is significantly under-reported.



Table #10
STATES RANKED BY 1995 PER CAPITA BOARDINGS

Rank State 1983 1995 Change
1 DC 446.9 622.4 39.3%
2 NY 170.9 128.9 -24.5%
3 HI 76.4 61.5 -19.6%
4 MA 51.5 56.8 10.4%
5 IL 63.3 47.4 -25.2%
6 PA 40.9 34.7 -15.1%
7 CA 43.5 34.1 -21.5%
8 NJ 33.1 32.1 -2.9%
9 MD 24.9 25.2 1.2%
10 NV 8.0 23.9 200.9%
11 OR 20.5 23.9 16.4%
12 WA 26.6 23.4 -11.9%
13 GA 23.8 21.7 -9.0%
14 LA 20.4 20.0 -2.0%
15 CO 16.2 19.6 21.0%
16 WI 22.3 15.1 -32.4%
17 RI 23.9 15.1 -37.0%
18 MN 19.9 14.5 -27.1%
19 CT 16.0 13.9 -13.6%
20 TX 10.4 13.2 26.7%
21 UT 10.7 13.0 21.4%
22 MO 15.3 12.7 -17.1%
23 AZ 10.3 12.5 21.3%
24 OH 19.6 11.5 -41.5%
25 FL 11.8 11.5 -2.9%
26 DE 9.0 9.5 6.3%
27 MI 18.3 9.0 -50.7%
28 KY 9.0 6.5 -27.7%
29 VA 9.0 6.1 -32.3%
30 TN 6.4 5.1 -20.5%
31 AK 8.3 5.0 -40.1%
32 IA 4.1 4.7 15.0%
33 NM 4.2 4.6 9.8%
34 IN 6.3 4.2 -32.7%
35 NC 3.7 4.0 8.5%
36 NE 7.3 3.8 -47.6%
37 VT 3.1 2.7 -12.6%
38 SC 0.1 2.4 1592.8%
39 AL 4.3 2.1 -51.3%
40 OK 2.2 2.0 -8.9%
41 MT 1.5 1.9 30.9%
42 ND 0.8 1.9 146.6%
43 WV 2.6 1.7 -32.9%
44 AR 1.4 1.6 11.8%
45 KS 1.7 1.4 -14.0%
46 ME 2.5 1.4 -42.2%
47 ID 4.2 1.4 -66.7%
48 NH 1.6 0.9 -40.6%
49 SD 1.0 0.9 -5.3%
50 MS 0.9 0.5 -46.0%
Expanded Rail Service and Artificially Higher Boarding Figures in 1995: Urban rail systems were opened or significantly expanded in a number of metroplitan areas between 1983 and 1995. Because such systems force many passengers to split their journeys between buses and rail (transfer), the 1995 boardings figure for states containing these systems is artificially inflated. This effect is likely to exceed five percent in DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri and Oregon

DC, MD & VA: The National Transit Database reports all ridership and cost data for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in DC, despite substantial ridership in MD and VA. As a result, DC data is significantly over-reported and data in MD and VA is significantly under-reported.



Table #11
STATES RANKED BY PERCENTAGE CHANGE
IN PER CAPITA BOARDINGS
Rank State % Change 1983 1985
1 NV 200.9% 8.0 23.9
2 DC 39.3% 446.9 622.4
3 MT 30.9% 1.5 1.9
4 TX 26.7% 10.4 13.2
5 UT 21.4% 10.7 13.0
6 AZ 21.3% 10.3 12.5
7 CO 21.0% 16.2 19.6
8 OR 16.4% 20.5 23.9
9 IA 15.0% 4.1 4.7
10 AR 11.8% 1.4 1.6
11 MA 10.4% 51.5 56.8
12 NM 9.8% 4.2 4.6
13 NC 8.5% 3.7 4.0
14 DE 6.3% 9.0 9.5
15 MD 1.2% 24.9 25.2
16 LA -2.0% 20.4 20.0
17 NJ -2.9% 33.1 32.1
18 FL -2.9% 11.8 11.5
19 SD -5.3% 1.0 0.9
20 OK -8.9% 2.2 2.0
21 GA -9.0% 23.8 21.7
22 WA -11.9% 26.6 23.4
23 VT -12.6% 3.1 2.7
24 CT -13.6% 16.0 13.9
25 KS -14.0% 1.7 1.4
26 PA -15.1% 40.9 34.7
27 MO -17.1% 15.3 12.7
28 HI -19.6% 76.4 61.5
29 TN -20.5% 6.4 5.1
30 CA -21.5% 43.5 34.1
31 NY -24.5% 170.9 128.9
32 IL -25.2% 63.3 47.4
33 MN -27.1% 19.9 14.5
34 KY -27.7% 9.0 6.5
35 VA -32.3% 9.0 6.1
36 WI -32.4% 22.3 15.1
37 IN -32.7% 6.3 4.2
38 WV -32.9% 2.6 1.7
39 RI -37.0% 23.9 15.1
40 AK -40.1% 8.3 5.0
41 NH -40.6% 1.6 0.9
42 OH -41.5% 19.6 11.5
43 ME -42.2% 2.5 1.4
44 MS -46.0% 0.9 0.5
45 NE -47.6% 7.3 3.8
46 MI -50.7% 18.3 9.0
47 AL -51.3% 4.3 2.1
48 ID -66.7% 4.2 1.4
ND and SC excluded due to incomplete 1983 data.

Expanded Rail Service and Artificially Higher Boarding Figures in 1995: Urban rail systems were opened or significantly expanded in a number of metroplitan areas between 1983 and 1995. Because such systems force many passengers to split their journeys between buses and rail (transfer), the 1995 boardings figure for states containing these systems is artificially inflated. This effect is likely to exceed five percent in DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri and Oregon

DC, MD & VA: The National Transit Database reports all ridership and cost data for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in DC, despite substantial ridership in MD and VA. As a result, DC data is significantly over-reported and data in MD and VA is significantly under-reported.



Table #12
STATES RANKED BY 1995 OPERATING COST PER BOARDING

Rank State 1983 1995 Change
1 NJ $2.18 $3.60 142.7%
2 AK $3.73 $3.32 -41.1%
3 MS $1.71 $3.32 160.5%
4 WV $2.43 $3.26 82.9%
5 IN $1.61 $3.12 151.6%
6 NH $1.93 $3.02 108.9%
7 WA $1.91 $2.85 94.4%
8 MT $2.54 $2.81 26.9%
9 OH $1.49 $2.68 119.9%
10 SD $1.64 $2.67 103.3%
11 NE $2.05 $2.65 59.7%
12 DE $2.06 $2.62 55.1%
13 OK $2.53 $2.49 -4.1%
14 ME $1.29 $2.38 109.7%
15 KS $1.92 $2.35 43.1%
16 MI $1.53 $2.35 82.5%
17 FL $1.69 $2.29 60.6%
18 NM $1.89 $2.28 38.9%
19 IL $1.58 $2.20 62.0%
20 NY $1.22 $2.19 96.1%
21 MO $2.12 $2.18 5.8%
22 AL $0.45 $2.16 171.4%
23 RI $1.24 $2.14 89.9%
24 CO $2.38 $2.13 -25.2%
25 TX $1.89 $2.11 22.5%
26 MD $1.38 $2.08 69.5%
27 VA $1.10 $2.07 97.2%
28 MN $1.71 $2.05 33.5%
29 PA $1.56 $2.01 44.5%
30 OR $2.09 $2.01 -7.9%
31 ID $0.61 $2.00 139.0%
32 TN $1.66 $1.99 33.4%
33 CT $1.37 $1.98 60.6%
34 CA $1.57 $1.97 39.9%
35 UT $1.94 $1.96 1.6%
36 DC $1.13 $1.86 73.4%
37 VT $1.33 $1.78 45.2%
38 WI $1.26 $1.76 50.8%
39 MA $1.42 $1.73 30.9%
40 KY $1.38 $1.71 33.0%
41 ND $3.02 $1.71 -130.9%
42 AR $1.74 $1.70 -4.5%
43 NC $1.32 $1.69 36.8%
44 IA $1.75 $1.61 -13.3%
45 SC $2.96 $1.58 -137.3%
46 GA $1.17 $1.45 28.4%
47 AZ $1.60 $1.42 -17.6%
48 LA $1.19 $1.25 6.2%
49 HI $1.00 $1.21 20.9%
50 NV $1.09 $1.03 -5.9%
Table #13
STATES RANKED BY CHANGE IN TOTAL OPERATING COST
Rank State

Gross Change in Cost per Boarding*

1983

 1995 % Change
1 NY $2,246.8 $1.22 $2.19 96.1%
2 CA $430.4 $1.57 $1.97 39.9%
3 NJ $364.3 $2.18 $3.60 142.7%
4 IL $347.6 $1.58 $2.20 62.0%
5 DC $253.4 $1.13 $1.86 73.4%
6 PA $186.3 $1.56 $2.01 44.5%
7 OH $153.7 $1.49 $2.68 119.9%
8 WA $120.1 $1.91 $2.85 94.4%
9 MA $106.7 $1.42 $1.73 30.9%
10 FL $98.4 $1.69 $2.29 60.6%
11 MD $88.4 $1.38 $2.08 69.5%
12 MI $71.1 $1.53 $2.35 82.5%
13 TX $55.5 $1.89 $2.11 22.5%
14 GA $44.3 $1.17 $1.45 28.4%
15 WI $39.3 $1.26 $1.76 50.8%
16 VA $39.2 $1.10 $2.07 97.2%
17 IN $37.2 $1.61 $3.12 151.6%
18 CT $27.5 $1.37 $1.98 60.6%
19 MN $22.4 $1.71 $2.05 33.5%
20 HI $15.3 $1.00 $1.21 20.9%
21 AL $15.2 $0.45 $2.16 171.4%
22 RI $13.4 $1.24 $2.14 89.9%
23 NC $10.7 $1.32 $1.69 36.8%
24 TN $9.0 $1.66 $1.99 33.4%
25 KY $8.3 $1.38 $1.71 33.0%
26 LA $5.4 $1.19 $1.25 6.2%
27 MO $3.9 $2.12 $2.18 5.8%
28 DE $3.8 $2.06 $2.62 55.1%
29 NE $3.7 $2.05 $2.65 59.7%
30 NM $3.0 $1.89 $2.28 38.9%
31 WV $2.6 $2.43 $3.26 82.9%
32 ID $2.2 $0.61 $2.00 139.0%
33 MS $2.1 $1.71 $3.32 160.5%
34 ME $1.9 $1.29 $2.38 109.7%
35 KS $1.6 $1.92 $2.35 43.1%
36 NH $1.2 $1.93 $3.02 108.9%
37 VT $0.7 $1.33 $1.78 45.2%
38 SD $0.7 $1.64 $2.67 103.3%
39 MT $0.5 $2.54 $2.81 26.9%
40 UT $0.4 $1.94 $1.96 1.6%
41 AR ($0.2) $1.74 $1.70 -4.5%
42 OK ($0.3) $2.53 $2.49 -4.1%
43 AK ($1.2) $3.73 $3.32 -41.1%
44 ND ($1.6) $3.02 $1.71 -130.9%
45 IA ($1.8) $1.75 $1.61 -13.3%
46 NV ($2.1) $1.09 $1.03 -5.9%
47 OR ($5.9) $2.09 $2.01 -7.9%
48 AZ ($9.3) $1.60 $1.42 -17.6%
49 SC ($12.1) $2.96 $1.58 -137.3%
50 CO ($18.5) $2.38 $2.13 -25.2%
* Change in cost per boarding times 1995 boardings.


Table #14
STATES RANKED BY CHANGE IN OPERATING COST PER BOARDING
Rank State Change Total Operating Cost
1 AL 381.0% $2.16
2 ID 228.1% $2.00
3 IN 94.3% $3.12
4 MS 93.7% $3.32
1 AL 88.3% $2.07
6 ME 85.2% $2.38
7 OH 80.7% $2.68
8 NY 78.5% $2.19
9 RI 72.4% $2.14
10 NJ 65.6% $3.60
11 DC 65.1% $1.86
12 SD 63.0% $2.67
13 NH 56.5% $3.02
14 MI 54.1% $2.35
15 MD 50.2% $2.08
16 WA 49.5% $2.85
17 CT 44.2% $1.98
18 WI 40.4% $1.76
19 IL 39.3% $2.20
20 FL 35.9% $2.29
21 WV 34.1% $3.26
22 VT 34.0% $1.78
23 NE 29.1% $2.65
24 PA 28.4% $2.01
25 NC 28.0% $1.69
26 DE 26.7% $2.62
27 CA 25.4% $1.97
28 GA 24.4% $1.45
29 KY 23.9% $1.71
30 KS 22.4% $2.35
31 MA 21.7% $1.73
32 HI 20.9% $1.21
33 NM 20.6% $2.28
34 TN 20.1% $1.99
35 MN 19.6% $2.05
36 TX 11.9% $2.11
37 MT 10.6% $2.81
38 LA 5.2% $1.25
39 MO 2.7% $2.18
40 UT 0.8% $1.96
41 OK -1.6% $2.49
42 AR -2.6% $1.70
43 OR -3.8% $2.01
44 NV -5.4% $1.03
45 IA -7.6% $1.61
46 CO -10.6% $2.13
47 AK -11.0% $3.32
48 AZ -11.0% $1.42
ND and SC excluded due to incomplete 1983 data.


NOTES
Source: USDOT FTA National Transit Database
Data Set: Modes included: motor bus, trolley bus (electric bus), tram (streetcar or light rail), metro (heavy rail, subway, elevated or underground) and commuter rail (regional rail).
"Boardings:" Ridership expressed in annual boardings. A passenger journey often includes more than one boarding (one or more "transfers"). The use of boardings by the National Transit Database makes international comparisons difficult, since most public transport systems count passenger journeys. Nationally, the number of passenger journeys are estimated to be 20 percent below the number of boardings. Individual state data is either not available or not readily accessible.
Expanded Rail Service and Artificially Higher Boarding Figures in 1995: Urban rail systems were opened or significantly expanded in a number of metroplitan areas between 1983 and 1995. Because such systems force many passengers to split their journeys between buses and rail (transfer), the 1995 boardings figure for states containing these systems is artificially inflated. This effect is likely to exceed five percent in DC, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri and Oregon.
Capitalization of operating costs: Since 1983 reporting practice has been revised to allow capitalization of some expenses previously reported as operating expense. Based upon previous reporting methods, 1995 operating costs could be more than $500 million higher.
Multi-state public transport authorities: The National Transit Database allocates all of the ridership and costs for multi-state public transport authorities to the state (or District of Columbia) in which the headquarters is located. This results in significant distortions in the Washington, DC area (see DC, MD & VA note).
DC, MD & VA: The National Transit Database reports all ridership and cost data for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in DC, despite substantial ridership in MD and VA. As a result, DC data is significantly over-reported and data in MD and VA is significantly under-reported.
Ranking table ties: Where ranking tables show states with the same values, rankings are based upon actual data to a greater degree of accuracy than shown in the tables.
Capital expenditures: Comparable 1983 data not available by state.
NC & SC 1983 data not complete. These states are excluded from tables ranking change from 1983 to 1995.
WY: The National Transit Database reports no systems operating the modes analyzed.

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