PSRC Trends: Transit Ridership growth 23%, Vehicle Miles Traveled growth 1%

The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) recently released their "Trends" Document for June.

It contains transit ridership numbers. In the PSRC area consider these growth number for the last 4 years:

Transit Ridership-24%
Population Growth-5%
Employment Growth-9%
Increase of Transit Service Hours-4%

And my favorite:
Transit Growth in '06 and 07- 5% and 8% respectfully
VMT growth in those two years-1%

These numbers are not a shock to me, but it still staggering to see them all on the same page. The data drives home the disturbing reality that public demand for transit is at record highs while agencies are looking to cut bus service. A larger state contribution to transit and local funding options are needed in order to meet demand and maintain/grow service levels. Without new funding sources regional transit and system-wide mobility will literally break down.