From the CUTA website:

Transit ridership continues to climb
TORONTO, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - Final public transit ridership statistics for
2004 show an increase of 2.57% nationally for another all time record of 1.592
billion trips taken in 2004, as reported today by the Canadian Urban Transit
Association (CUTA).
"With 40 million more transit trips taken in 2004 over 2003, it is clear
that an increasing number of Canadians are choosing transit as their preferred
travel alternative," says CUTA President and CEO Michael Roschlau. "This
represents an increase of 40-million trips over 2003, or 2.57 percent. That's
equivalent to the entire ridership at a system the size of Winnipeg, Edmonton
or Quebec City."
"As new infrastructure funding flows, this ridership trend should
continue in the coming years," continues Roschlau.
Some transit systems were able to begin modest service increases in 2004
due to greater provincial funding, most notably in Ontario. U-Passes were also
introduced on a number of campuses, greatly motivating student ridership in
numerous communities. Rising fuel and insurance costs may also have shifted
travel away from personal cars. An increased awareness of environmental
issues, declining air quality and climate change may also be encouraging
greater transit use.
"The transit industry hopes to see a more level playing field between
auto and transit use with our proposed Tax Exemption for Employer Provided
Transit Benefits," says CUTA Chair Robert Olivier. "This would remove taxation
on employer subsidized transit and put it in line with untaxed parking at
work, and thus encourage greater transit use."
"The transit community is looking forward to seeing further growth in
transit ridership as cities see the federal infrastructure investment take
hold," closes Roschlau. "Hopefully, we'll see the federal "New Deal" funding
for transit become permanent."

CUTA is the voice for enhancing the public transit industry in Canada.
Association members include public transit systems, suppliers to the industry,
government agencies, individuals and related organizations in Canada.

I seriously doubt Ontario Gas Tax money really had any effect on ridership as it came late in 2004. This year is when we will really see the benefit of it.

The gas price probably had more to do with the increase in ridership. I know I’ve seen a lot more people at the downtown bus terminal than before.

Before I used to drive to the mall. But because of the gas price I just take the bus since it's cheaper for me.

^^Yup

Thanks for the article.
It would be great if CUTA had more up to date figures and broken down by cities, modes, etc like APTA.

Transit use is visably up in Vancouver. The park and ride in White Rock is over flowing, they're building a new one. Buses and Skytrain are also much more crowded. Its no doubt gas prices.

^ Yeah, overcrowding is serious problem for the TTC and Mississauga Transit too and some transit systems will have trouble keeping up with the increased demand, so it is good thing that the transit systems are getting some funding the higher levels of government.

Ya, thank god the NDP forced the issue.
The horrid days or non interest { and money} from the feds is finally over.
The money intialy set aside from the feds over 5 years was a good start but made much better by the NDP which demanded an extra $800/mil over 2 years for transit and most impoortantly, unlike the original amount, it will be based on percapita ridership overwhelmingly helping the larger cities.
It recognizes that London is not Toronto but neither is it Lethbridge.

Why doesn't people just trust the NDP...I want to see a change
This minority government gives Layton a good stepping stone

The NDP will probably never get in federally. This is especially true becuase it would take away votes from the Liberals not the Conservatives.
There are litterally millions in Canada who don't care for the Liberals but have the attitude "anyone but the Conservatives". I am one such person. The next election I will probably vote Liberal.
The idea of voting for these thieves makes me ill but I will swallow my pride { an possibly put at risk my eternal soul} and vote Liberal. Anything to keep the yahoo Canservatives out of power.
This is especially true since they took the name "progressive" out of the party both litterally and philosophicaly.

TTC Ridership Booming

TORONTO, Oct. 27 /CNW/ - TTC ridership is up almost 3
percent over the same period last year.
TTC expects to carry at least 427 million riders by year end ...
a 9 percent increase over ridership in 1999 when the TTC
carried 393 million.
October saw record sales of Metropasses - 202,000 passes
in one month, a 50 percent increase in sales over October 1999.

- 70 percent of Torontonians have taken the TTC within the
last 12 months
- 50 percent of Torontonians have taken the TTC at least once
a week

It's a similar trend down here, too. Chicago's CTA has seen usage up 5.5% since last year--rail alone is up 8.5%. :)

"October saw record sales of Metropasses - 202,000 passes"


That's not surprising....making them transferable was a good move.








"a 9 percent increase over ridership in 1999 when the TTC
carried 393 million."


The TTC's new funding is dependent on ridership increases...so they will be coming up with new ways of getting riders....and why the 80% operating efficiency will probably go down...ridership is the new peiority.






KGB

I wonder if VIVA has made a real difference in ridership numbers in York Region.