Transit Ridership Quick Statistics
Submitted by The American Public Transit Association | America
The key to implementing an effective marketing strategy is being aware of the characteristics of transit riders. What follows is a series of graphs which illustrate the make-up of transit riders in America today. The information was compiled from "Americans in Transit: A Profile of Public Transit Passengers", a report produced by the American Public Transit Association in 1992.
Here is a quick overview of the information contained within the report:
* The majority of riders are female;
* 30.8% are black;
* 17.9% are Hispanic;
* 6.9% are senior citizens;
* 10.3% are age 18 or under;
* 1.2% are people with disabilities (this increases to 2.5% excluding New York City);
* 27.5% have annual family incomes below $15,000 (38.2% excluding New York City);
* work trips comprise 54.4% of all transit trips while medical and schols trips comprise 5.5% and 14.6% respectively, and;
* over 16 million work trips are taken by transit passengers on an average weekday
NOTE: Keep in mind that strong variations may occur between these national stats and those of your particular market. Such variations can be anticipated between cities and/or regions. The point is simply this -- a basic understanding of your market, including demographic data, is essential when implementing an effective marketing plan.
Furthermore, this information is at least seven years old. Clearinghouse staff are currently updating this information, and it should be posted by the end of June, 1999.
If you would like a copy of the report, please write to APTA at 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC, 20005 or phone (202) 898-4089.