Transit numbers are highest in 25 years

Metro Transit reported that it gave more than 77 million rides in 2007. That was up by more than 3.4 million rides over 2006 and the highest total since 1982, the agency said.

Star Tribune

Last update: February 8, 2008 - 11:59 PM

Metro Transit recorded its highest ridership in a quarter of a century, reporting that it provided more than 77 million rides in 2007. That was up by more than 3.4 million rides over 2006 and the highest total since 1982, the agency said.

The totals include Metro Transit buses and Hiawatha Light Rail.

"Ridership growth in 2007 is not a one-year phenomenon; it continues a positive trend," said general manager Brian Lamb.

Users of express bus service in 2007 increased 4.8 percent over the previous year. Local rides on city routes were up 4.6 percent and the number of rides on the light-rail line went up 1.5 percent, the agency said.

More than 7.2 million rides were by those who used Metropass, a pass that employers provide at full or reduced cost to employees, Lamb said. The figure was an increase of 12.2 percent.

Students who used their U-Pass to travel to the University of Minnesota jumped 9 percent from 2006 to account for 4.3 million rides last year.

The agency said trains ran on time 97 percent of the time in 2007, and buses were on time 89 percent of the time last year.

TIM HARLOW