February 2, 2007

CONTACT: Richard Farr, Government Affairs Chairman
Cell: 578-7965
Fax: 848-4853
Email: rfarr@rabbittransit.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION RIDERSHIP SKYROCKETS IN SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
4.9 MILLION TRIPS WERE TAKEN ON PUBLIC TRANSIT IN 2006 -
NEARLY 11% INCREASE

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced that public transportation ridership has increased by nearly 3% in the first nine months of 2006, as Americans took 7.8 billion trips on public transit. South Central Pennsylvania public transit is performing better than the national average. Transit systems based in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York are pleased to announce that combined, they provided nearly 470,000 more trips in 2006 than 2005 - an increase of 10.6%.

"Even as gas prices declined, more and more people decided to ride public transportation as ridership grew by nearly 3% in the first nine months of 2006," said American Public Transportation Association President William W. Millar. "This continued increase in transit ridership demonstrates that when people have transportation choices, they use them."

 "I think the increase is representative of South Central Pennsylvania Residents' attitude towards congestion and travel cost," states York Transit Executive Director Richard Farr. "rabbittransit has had several passengers using rabbitEXPRESS, York's commuter service between York and Harrisburg, state that they were tired of fighting the traffic and the never ending increases in maintenance and fuel costs." 

The Harrisburg transit system also contributes some of its success to the new commuter services they started last year. "We believe that the public is beginning to understand the importance of public transit in our region," states James Hoffer, Capital Area Transit Executive Director. "As South Central PA continues to grow, we need to be in a position to offer travel alternatives."

Transit systems statewide are anxiously awaiting the Governor's budget presentation on February 6, 2007. PA transit systems, including our local providers, have been facing funding that has not kept pace with inflation, creating crisis situations in many parts of the Commonwealth. The Transportation Funding and Reform Commission, formed by Governor Rendell in 2005, released its findings and recommendations report last November.

"We are pleased with the level of effort by the Commission, and it shows in their final report," states Pennsylvania Public Transportation Association's Executive Director Martha Pierce. "The work of the Commission may be the first time anyone reviewed the transportation needs on a statewide basis.  The report not only provides funding options, but also reform recommendations. PPTA members stand ready to work with both the Governor and General Assembly for a permanent solution to PA transportation needs, both for transit and highway." PPTA offers state transit funding information on their website, www.ppta.net.

Ridership Skyrockets in South Central Pennsylvania Press Release: PDF | Word

rabbittransit, York County’s public transportation system, provides a variety of transportation services to the residents of York County. Nearly 6,000 people depend on rabbittransit each day to get to work, medical facilities, school and other life-sustaining activities. rabbittransit is dedicated to helping all York Countians get to where they want to go.