Public transit systems see big ridership gains

Americans are boarding public buses, trains and subways in greater numbers than any time since the suburbs began booming, according to new ridership numbers. Public transit passengers took nearly 10.7 billion trips in 2013 — the highest total since 1956. What follows is a look at which transit agencies saw the biggest gains. Urban area; Agency; Increase in unlinked passenger trips 2012 to 2013; percent increase New York City; New York City Transit Authority; 120,635,700; 3.6 percent Los Angeles; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; 9,194,200; 2 percent New York City; New Jersey Transit; 4,049,700; 1.5 percent Seattle; King County Department of Transportation; 3,204,400; 2.7 percent Miami; Miami-Dade Transit Agency; 2,493,800; 2.3 percent Seattle; Sound Transit; 2,341,600; 8.4 percent Denver; Regional Transportation District; 2,257,500; 2.6 percent Houston; Metro Transit Authority; 2,257,000; 2.7 percent San Diego; Metropolitan Transit System; 2,230,000; 2.6 percent