🚀 go-pugleaf

Here is a press release from the American Public Transit 
Association. I downloaded the press release from the PR On-Line 
BBS in Maryland at 410-363-0834. I do not work for APTA.

 Commuter Rail Patronage Grows as Traffic-Weary Drivers Seek
Alternatives, Says American Public Transit Association
 
 Contact: Chip Bishop of the American Public Transit Association,
          202-898-4114 

    CHICAGO, April 11  -- The nation's 15 commuter rail 
systems posted a healthy 2.4 percent ridership increase
last year, evidence of the continuing popularity of a public
transportation mode that serves workers in metropolitan areas,
suburbs and beyond, according to the American Public Transit
Association.
   Meeting here for its annual Commuter Rail Conference, APTA
reported that commuter rail patronage jumped by 7.6 million boardings
from 1992-1993 to 329.4 million.  "Neither a feeble economy nor the
false lure of cheap gasoline can stop the appeal of riding the rails
to work," said Rod Diridon of Santa Clara County, Calif., APTA
chairman.  "People relish the speed and convenience of commuter rail
in contrast to the frustration and delay of highway traffic."
   The rise in commuter rail patronage may forecast better ridership
numbers for public transportation as a whole, the APTA official said.
Final 1993 figures for buses and other forms of rail transit are not
yet available, but the industry has experienced ridership declines,
especially in big-city bus travel in recent years.  Transit officials
blame high unemployment in the economy, and stiff competition from
drivers who are enjoying record low gas prices and widespread,
company-paid free-parking.
   Commuter Rail ridership gains were paced by the Miami-Ft.
Lauderdale area's Tri-Rail system which grew 20 percent to 2.9
million boardings.  Other significant gains were recorded in Boston
(8.1 percent), at the Connecticut Department of Transportation's New
Haven  service (7.2 percent), in the Baltimore region (5.9 percent),
at New Jersey Transit (3.7 percent), and at both New York's
Metro North Commuter Railroad (2.3 percent) and Long Island
Railroad (2 percent).
   In addition, APTA reported that two new commuter rail systems
which opened for service late in 1992 showed substantial growth last
year.  These include Metrolink in the Los Angeles area (from 166,000
to 1.9 million boardings) and the Virginia Railway Express, serving
the Washington, D.C., suburbs (from 601,000 to 1.7 million
boardings).
   Chicago's Metra system, the nation's second largest commuter rail
operation after the Long Island Rail Road, reported a 1.1 percent
growth in ridership between 1991-1993.  It said its ability to serve
more passengers is being hindered by carrying capacity and the need
for more suburban parking.
   APTA is the international association of operating transit
authorities, their suppliers and other advocates of improved transit
service.
    ------
   Editors: For further information and interviews contact Chip
Bishop of APTA at 202-898-4114.  

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