Mass Transit

SEP-OCT 2014

Mass Transit magazine features agency profiles, industry trends, management tips and new product information.

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8 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 MTS Announces a Record 95 Million Passengers Rode the Bus and Trolley in FY 2014 ▶ The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) announced Aug. 20 that 95,010,550 trips were taken by passengers on MTS buses and trolleys in FY 2014, shattering the pre- vious record of 91,641,508 million set in FY 2009. It was an 11.5 percent increase from the 85,193,601 rides taken during FY 2013. "Serving 95 million passengers over a 12-month period is a signifcant mile- stone for MTS and the public transpor- tation system in San Diego," said Paul Jablonski, chief executive ofcer of MTS. "MTS provides critical transportation services for the region, helping residents get to places such as work, school and entertainment venues. The ridership record further demonstrates that public transportation is an attractive alternative for San Diego residents and visitors." In FY 2014, MTS deployed new low- foor trolley cars on the Orange Line and realigned the Green Line to provide service all the way to downtown. This made trips faster, more comfortable and more convenient for all passengers. The new trains help speed up the boarding process by allowing direct access and eliminating the need for mechanical lifts for people using mobility devices. Ridership to special events, such as San Diego Chargers games, Supercross and Comic-Con, was also up for the year. These events, which are big economic drivers for the San Diego region, depend on the trolley to provide alternatives to driving and parking hassles. Ridership to Chargers games, for example was up 14 percent in FY 2014 compared to the previous year. Trolley ridership increased nearly 34 percent over the previous year. www.MassTransitmag.com/ 11655798 Annual DART Ridership Increases 5 Percent Total ridership on Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) services reached 4.7 million rides in the last fscal year (July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014), an increase of more than 5 percent over the same previous period. Te ridership increases for DART follow recent investments made in public transit, including expansions of service in 2012 and 2013 under the DART Forward 2035 Plan, the opening of DART Central Station in 2012, and the launch of the MyDART Trip Planner in 2013. "What this shows is that if you add and improve service, people will use it more," DART General Manager Elizabeth Presutti said. "Public transit in Greater Des Moines continues to improve, and I encourage people who haven't been on a bus lately to give it a try." www.MassTransitmag.com/11672045 A NUMBER of factors led to the ridership record, including new low- floor trolley cars, reconfigured routes and passenger counting technology upgrades. An improved economy, additional service and gas prices of more than $4 per gallon also contributed to the gains. DART MADE additional service improvements in August, including a new route and increased frequency on seven local and express routes in Des Moines and metro suburbs. DART PEOPLE & PLACES THE LASTEST INDUSTRY NEWS CATA Sets Ridership Record ▶ The Centre Area Transportation Au- thority (CATA) announced that in the FY 2013/14 CATABus fxed-route annual rider- ship climbed to a record high of 7,352,133, eclipsing the previous record of more than 7.1 million rides set in FY 2009/10. This number demonstrates a 3.4 per- cent increase in ridership over FY 2012/13, and a 9.7 percent increase in CATABus Community Service alone. www.MassTransitmag.com/11585662 THE LARGEST ridership gains have been on CATA's HP Route, M Route and W Route. RIDERSHIP INCREASES MTS CATA

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