Transit in the United States

Total Federal Assistance (Capital and Operating) Applied to Transit and Unlinked Passenger Trips

Concepts

Federal funds applied to transit are Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Urbanized Area Formula Program funds (financial assistance used to offset operating costs and pay for capital projects) and other Federal funds.

Unlinked passenger trips are the number of patrons boarding public transportation vehicles.

Comments

Ridership increased by 18.3 percent from 1986 to 2006. During the same period, Federal assistance applied to transit increased by nearly 32 percent.

 

Federal Funds Applied to Transit — 1986 - 2006

Line Chart Federal Funds Applied to Transit (Millions) 1986-2006 1986: $5,165; 1987: $4,609; 1988: $4,283; 1989: $4,055; 1990: $4,387; 1991: $4,126; 1992: $4,055; 1993: $3,778; 1994: $3,796; 1995: $4,475; 1996: $4,352; 1997: $4,987; 1998: $4,604; 1999: $4,705; 2000: $5,267; 2001: $6,435; 2002: $5,965; 2003: $6,249; 2004: $6,315; 2005: $6,009; 2006: $6,834 Line Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) 1986-2006 1986: 7930.3; 1987: 7865.8; 1988: 7812.5; 1989: 8098; 1990: 7965.6; 1991: 7738.1; 1992: 7696.2; 1993: 7432.7; 1994: 7701.6; 1995: 7503.7; 1996: 7564.6; 1997: 7954.2; 1998: 8115.1; 1999: 8523.2; 2000: 8719.9; 2001: 9007.8; 2002: 9016.7; 2003: 8876; 2004: 8937.1; 2005: 9175.1; 2006: 9379

Unlinked Passenger Trips

 

 

Number of Transit Agencies

Concepts

Transit agencies that receive or benefit from Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Urbanized Area Formula Program funds (capital or operating) are required to report selected transit data to the National Transit Database (NTD) program. In addition, transit agencies not receiving FTA funds are encouraged to submit data, providing a more complete picture of public transit throughout the United States. These transit agencies report financial (capital and operating) data and non-financial operating statistics by transit mode. A total of 657 transit agencies reported data in 2006.

Comments

·         The number of bus systems increased in the last 10 years (90 new systems).

·         Demand response increased by nearly 19 percent (74 new systems) over the same period, reflecting the need to provide special transit service for the elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities.

·         Vanpool nearly doubled the number of systems from 1997 to 2006.

 

Number of Agencies Reporting — Bus (*) 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Number of Agencies Reporting Bus Mode 1997-2006: 1997-401, 1998-427, 1999-437, 2000-433, 2001-448, 2002-456, 2003-463, 2004-471, 2005-476, 2006-491

(*) Does not include agencies receiving nine or fewer vehicles waiver

 

Number of Agencies Reporting — Demand Response (*) 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Number of Agencies Reporting Demand Response Mode 1997-2006: 1997-390, 1998-408, 1999-413, 2000-416, 2001-432, 2002-423, 2003-442, 2004-441, 2005-449, 2006-464

(*) Does not include agencies receiving nine or fewer vehicles waiver

 

Number of Agencies Reporting — Light Rail 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Number of Agencies Reporting Vanpool Mode 1997-2006: 1997-27, 1998-32, 1999-40, 2000-42, 2001-43, 2002-42, 2003-25, 2004-27, 2005-27, 2006-27

 

Number of Agencies Reporting — Vanpool 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Number of Agencies Reporting Vanpool Mode 1997-2006 1997-27, 1998-32, 1999-40, 2000-42, 2001-43, 2002-42, 2003-47, 2004-43, 2005-51, 2006-52

 

 Number of Agencies Reporting 1997 - 2006

Year

Bus *

Commuter

Rail

Demand Response *

Heavy

Rail

Light

Rail

Vanpool *

Other Modes *

1997

401

16

390

14

20

27

26

1998

427

16

408

14

20

32

28

1999

437

18

413

14

20

40

33

2000

433

20

416

14

21

42

31

2001

448

21

432

14

23

43

31

2002

456

19

423

14

23

42

31

2003

463

19

433

14

25

47

31

2004

471

19

441

14

27

43

31

2005

476

20

449

15

27

51

30

2006

491

20

464

15

27

52

28

Actual Changes

90

4

74

1

7

25

2

(*) Data does not include agencies receiving nine or fewer vehicles waiver.

 

Vehicle Revenue Miles

Concepts

Vehicle revenue miles are the miles a transit vehicle travels while in revenue service. A transit vehicle is in revenue service when the vehicle is available to the public with the expectation of carrying passengers. Passengers pay full fares, reduced fares (senior citizen, student, special ride fares, etc.), or provide payment through some contractual agreement.

Deadhead travel is not included in vehicle revenue miles. Deadhead mileage consists of the miles a transit vehicle travels while not in revenue service (leaving or returning to the garage or yard or changing routes).

Comments

Vehicle revenue miles increased by nearly 30 percent between 1997 and 2006. Modes showing the most significant growth are those that had an increase in the number of systems in operation during the period.

·         Light rail – 83 percent

·         Demand response – 73 percent

·         Vanpool – 176 percent

Vehicle Revenue Miles — 1997 - 2006

Line Chart Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) 1997-2006: 1997-2853.3, 1998-2970.4, 1999-3111.4, 2000-3202.4, 2001-3319.0, 2002-3426.8, 2003-3476.0, 2004-3547.9, 2005-3602, 2006-3670.7

 

 

Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) 1997 - 2006

Year

Vehicle Revenue Miles

(Millions)

Year

Vehicle Revenue Miles

(Millions)

1997

2,853

2002

3,427

1998

2,970

2003

3,476

1999

3,111

2004

3,548

2000

3,202

2005

3,602

2001

3,319

2006

3,671

 

 

% Change

28.6

 

Vehicle Revenue Miles — Bus 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) Bus Mode 1997-2006: 1997-1605.7, 1998-1652.5, 1999-1719.3, 2000-1763.7, 2001-1821.2, 2002-1863.8, 2003-1891.3, 2004-1884.5, 2005-1884.5, 2006-1910


Vehicle Revenue Miles — Demand Response 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) Demand Repsonse Mode 1997-2006: 1997-350.1, 1998-388.6, 1999-418.2, 2000-452.4, 2001-490.3, 2002-525.2, 2003-544.3, 2004-561.4, 2005-589.2, 2006-607

Vehicle Revenue Miles — Light Rail 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) Light Rail Mode 1997-2006: 1997-39.8, 1998-42.3, 1999-47.1, 2000-51.4, 2001-53.2, 2002-60.0, 2003-63.5, 2004-66.6, 2005-68, 2006-73

 Vehicle Revenue Miles — Heavy Rail 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) Heavy Rail Mode 1997-2006: 1995-521.8, 1997-539.7, 1998-549.2, 1999-561.2, 2000-578.2, 2001-591.1, 2002-603.5, 2003-611.9, 2004-624.6, 2005-628.5, 2006-634

Vehicle Revenue Miles — Commuter Rail 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) Commuter Rail Mode 1997-2006 1997-229.6, 1998-238.3, 1999-243.4, 2000-247.9, 2001-253.1, 2002-259.1, 2003-261.9, 2004-268.8, 2005-277.3, 2006-287

Vehicle Revenue Miles — Vanpool 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Vehicle Revenue Miles (Millions) Vanpool Mode 1997-2006 1997-40.0, 1998-53.3, 1999-59.9, 2000-61.7, 2001-65.5, 2002-70.6, 2003-72.1, 2004-78.4, 2005-94.4, 2006-110

 

Unlinked Passenger Trips by Mode

Comments

Ridership increased by over 18 percent from 1997 to 2006.

 

Unlinked Passenger Trips 1997 - 2006

Line Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) 1997-2006 1997-7954.2, 1998-8115.1, 1999-8523.2, 2000-8719.9, 2001-9007.8, 2002-9016.7, 2003-8876.0, 2004-8937.1, 2005-9175.1, 2006-9379.4

 

Unlinked Passenger Trips— Bus 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) Bus Mode 1997-2006 1997-4602.0, 1998-4753.7, 1999-4991.9, 2000-5040.2, 2001-5215.1, 2002-5267.5, 2003-5146.5, 2004-5094.4, 2005-5225.9, 2006-5274.2

Unlinked Passenger Trips — Demand Response 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) Demand Response Mode 1997-2006 1997-60.0, 1998-66.1, 1999-68.6, 2000-73.2, 2001-76.7, 2002-78.8, 2003-81.8, 2004-83.0, 2005-86.6, 2006-88.3

Unlinked Passenger Trips — Light Rail 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) Light Rail Mode 1997-2006 1997-259.4, 1998-272.9, 1999-288.6, 2000-316.2, 2001-333.9, 2002-336.5, 2003-337.7, 2004-349.9, 2005-380.5, 2006-406.5

Unlinked Passenger Trips— Heavy Rail 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) Heavy Rail Mode 1997-2006 1997-2429.5, 1998-2392.8, 1999-2521.4, 2000-2632.2, 2001-2728.3, 2002-2688.0, 2003-2666.8, 2004-2747.6, 2005-2808.4, 2006-2927


Unlinked Passenger Trips — Commuter Rail 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) Commuter Rail Mode 1997-2006 1997-357.2, 1998-380.6, 1999-395.7, 2000-412.8, 2001-418.1, 2002-414.1, 2003-409.7, 2004-413.9, 2005-422.9, 2006-441.1


Unlinked Passenger Trips — Vanpool 1997 - 2006

Bar Chart Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions) Vanpool Mode1997-2006 1997-9.3, 1998-10.5, 1999-12.0, 2000-11.8, 2001-11.9, 2002-12.2, 2003-13.5, 2004-14.9, 2005-17.2, 2006-20.4

 

Distribution of Vehicle Revenue Miles and Unlinked Passenger Trips by Mode

The share of vehicle revenue miles for demand response has steadily increased from slightly more than 12 percent in 1997 to 17 percent in 2006 while the share of vehicle revenue miles for bus decreased from 56 percent to 52 percent.

At the same time, the share of unlinked passenger trips for demand response remained below 1 percent, illustrating the low capacity nature of this service, while the share of unlinked passenger trips for bus decreased from 58 percent in 1997 to 56 percent in 2006.

 

Distribution of Vehicle Revenue Miles

1997

 2006

Pie Chart Distribution of Vehicle Revenue Miles 1997 Bus-56.3%, Demand Response-12.3%, Light Rail-1.4%, Heavy Rail-18.9%, Commuter Rail-8.0%, Vanpool-1.4%, Other-1.7%Pie Chart Distribution of Vehicle Revenue Miles 2006 Bus-52%, Demand Response-17%, Light Rail-2%, Heavy Rail-17%, Commuter Rail-8%, Vanpool-3%, Other-1%

 

Distribution of Unlinked Passenger Trips

1997

2006

Pie Chart Distribution of Unlinked Passenger Trip 1997 Bus-58%, Demand Response-1%, Light Rail-3%, Heavy Rail-30%, Commuter Rail-4%, Vanpool-0.1%, Other-3%Pie Chart Distribution of Unlinked Passenger Trip 2006 Bus-56%, Demand Response-1%, Light Rail-4%, Heavy Rail-31%, Commuter Rail-5%, Vanpool-0.2%, Other-2%

 

Relative Impact on Data by UZA Size Group

Concepts

Urbanized areas (as defined by the U.S. Census) are geographic areas with a population of 50,000 or more. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are 465 urbanized areas. For National Transit Database purposes, the NTST groups urbanized areas by three size categories:

1.       Large urbanized areas: population of more than 1 million (38 urbanized areas, 222 agencies or 34 percent of all agencies reporting).

2.       Medium urbanized areas: population of more than 200,000 and less than 1 million (114 urbanized areas and 168 agencies or 25 percent of all agencies reporting).

3.       Small urbanized areas: population of less than 200,000 and more than 50,000 (313 urbanized areas, 270 agencies or 41 percent of all agencies reporting).

Comments

National Transit Database data are highly concentrated in large urbanized areas. The reported data most heavily concentrated in large urbanized areas are:

·         Capital investments in facilities and other categories — 92 percent

·         Passenger fares — 93 percent

·         Unlinked passenger trips — 90 percent

Relative Impact of the Data by UZA Size Group – 2006

Bar Chart Relative Impact of the Data by UZA Size Group 2006 Uses of Capital - Non-rolling Stock U Z As with more than 1 million population-92% U Z As with more than 200,000 and less than 1 million population-7% U Z As with less than 200,000 population-1.0% Passenger Fares U Z As with more than 1 million population-93% U Z As with more than 200,000 and less than 1 million population-5% U Z As with less than 200,000 population-2% Unlinked Trips U Z As with more than 1 million population-90% U Z As with more than 200,000 and less than 1 million population-7% U Z As with less than 200,000 population-3% Operating Expense U Z As with more than 1 million population-87% U Z As with more than 200,000 and less than 1 million population-9% U Z As with less than 200,000 population-3% Uses of Capital - Rolling Stock U Z As with more than 1 million population-88% U Z As with more than 200,000 and less than 1 million population-9% U Z As with less than 200,000 population-3% Vehicle Revenue Hours U Z As with more than 1 million population-79% U Z As with more than 200,000 and less than 1 million population-14% U Z As with less than 200,000 population-6% Vehicles Operated in Maximum Service U Z As with more than 1 million population-77% U Z As with more than 200,000 and less than 1 million population-15% U Z As with less than 200,000 population-8%

 

 

Rural Transit

Concepts

Rural areas are, by US Census definition, areas with a population of less than 50,000. Because these areas may be quite large, rural areas usually have low population density. For report year 2006, 1,327 subrecipients submitted data to the NTD through their State Departments of Transportation incorporating data for 857 counties nationwide.

Types of service in the Rural module correspond to the modes included in the Annual (urban, over 50,000 population) module. For definitions of modes and types of service refer to the NTD Glossary available from www.NTDprogram.gov.

Comments

·         Due to the low population density of rural areas, types of service such as demand response and subscription services are the most common in rural transit and accounted for 65 percent of all rural service in 2006.

 

Types of Service – 2006

Tyoes of Service - 2006 Demand Response-54%, Subscription-11%, Vanpool-1%, Other-5%, Fixed Route-15%, Deviated Fixed Route-15%,

 

 

Operating and Capital Funding

Concepts

Sources of funds (operating and capital) include assistance (local, state and federal (5311 funds)) and funds generated by the service providers (fares and contract revenues).

Comments

·         Rural transit operating budgets required 72 percent from Federal, state and local assistance, and 28 percent from directly generated funds.

·         Capital budgets relied mostly on Federal assistance, accounting for nearly three-fourths of all capital applied.

 

Rural Service – 2006

Sources of Operating Funding

Sources of Capital Funding

Rural Service-Sources of Operating Funding-2006 State-19%, Local-31%, Fares-9%, Contract Revenues-19%, Federal-23%Rural Service-Sources of Capital Funding-2006 Federal-73%, State-12%, Local-15%

 

Service Supplied and Consumed

Concepts

2006 was the first report year for Rural, as such; trend analysis of key service supplied and consumed performance ratios cannot be carried out. For definitions of service supplied and consumed items refer to the NTD Glossary available from www.NTDprogram.gov.

Comments

·         Rural performance measures are typical of service provided in low density areas such as low recovery ratios, and high cost per trip among others.

Service Supplied and Consumed — 2006

 

 

Fare Revenues (Millions)

$83

Operating Expenses (Millions)

$905

Unlinked Passenger Trips (Millions)

127

Vehicle Miles (Millions)

459

Vehicle Hours (Millions)

20

Operating Expenses per Vehicle Mile

$2

Operating Expenses per Vehicle Hour

$46

Operating Expenses per Unlinked Passenger Trip

$7

 

Safety

Concepts

The concepts and definitions of safety incidents are the same as in Annual (urban) reporting. For definitions of major incidents, injuries and fatalities refer to the NTD Glossary available from www.NTDprogram.gov.

 

Total
 Number of Subrecipients

Safety Incidents

Average Safety Incidents per Subrecipient

Injuries

1,327

175

.13

Fatalities

13

.01