AATA calls 6.6% ridership increase a transportation “sea change”

The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority announced last week that ridership rose 6.6 percent in 2012, with a total of 6.6 million rides on the Ann Arbor-based transportation system.  AATA attributes the record-breaking number of rides to increased accessibility to The Ride's fixed-route service, increases in on-time performance, as well as national trends toward public transportation use. The shift in transportation habits, says AATA's Don Kline, is more than just a passing trend.  "Demographic and research data suggest that there are growing populations of both young (under 40) and senior residents who are choosing not to drive," says Kline. "This 'sea change' in transportation habits means that robust public transportation choices are growing increasingly necessary in order to effectively serve our community." In order to meet those changing needs, AATA has made changes to services. For example, AATA doubled the frequency of weekday service on the #4 Washtenaw route in Jan. 2012, which led to an increase in ridership by 28 percent. Most of the increases, however, were due to growth in existing services.  "The long-term growth trend for AATA ridership remains strong," says Kline. "The annual number of riders has increased by more than 50 percent since 2004, while AATA productivity has improved by 43 percent during the past eight years."  Source: Don Kline, AATA Writer: Natalie Burg