Jan 8, 2024 - News
How public transit ridership has improved in San Diego
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Transit ridership in San Diego is now at 82% of its pre-pandemic level, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report citing American Public Transportation Association data.
- That's comparing its September 2023 ridership to September 2019.
By the numbers: Of roughly 100 U.S. metro areas with more than 500,000 people, last September'stransit ridership reached or exceeded 100% of September 2019's levels in just nine.
- Overall, national ridership reached 77% of pre-pandemic levels in November, per APTA's latest data.
Zoom in: San Diego weathered the pandemic transit collapse better than many cities, with the Trolley becoming the highest-ridership light-rail line in the country, thanks to its ridership falling slower than in other cities.
- MTS officials credited the slower decline to their decision not to cut service as much as other agencies.