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MBTA makes more ridership records in April – Metro US

MBTA makes more ridership records in April

Has it felt a little more crowded lately during your bus or train ride?

If it has, it’s because the MBTA ridership has continued to grow.

April ridership numbers released yesterday showed that average weekday ridership grew for the 15th consecutive month, making it the longest such streak in MBTA history.

Average weekday ridership last month increased 4.4 percent over April 2011 and reached 1.371 million passenger trips.

Bus ridership also set a record last month when it reached 401,000 weekday passenger trips. It means average weekday bus ridership topped 400,000 in consecutive months for the first time ever.

T officials credited technology improvements for the increase.

“We’re absolutely convinced that the widespread availability of real time bus data is making public transit a more convenient option for commuters,” said Acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis. “More than 100,000 smart-phone users have downloaded apps that provide arrival time information for more than 180 MBTA bus routes.”

Davis, in a statement, also credited the state’s continued economic growth and improved employment numbers.

Ridership on the T’s other modes of transportation also increased: Green Line up 8.2 percent over last April; Red, Orange and Blue lines up 3.8 percent; and Commuter Boat up by about 12 percent.

RIDE sets record, too

Door-to-door trips on the T’s fleet of lift-equipped vans that transport disabled and elderly people also set a record.

Average weekday passenger trips on THE RIDE reached 8,600 last month, a number that was reached only one other month since January 2010.

Earlier this month, a group of disabled RIDE users blocked traffic in front of the State House during a protest of fare increases. T officials have said THE RIDE is an extreme drain on funds and resources as the population ages.