Transit ridership declining in the Bay Area, according to UCLA study

ByKris Reyes KGO logo
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Transit ridership declining in Bay Area, says UCLA study
A UCLA study commissioned by the Metropolitan Transit Commission shows that ridership in the Bay Area is declining.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A UCLA study commissioned by the Metropolitan Transit Commission shows that ridership in the Bay Area is declining.



The full results of the study will be presented to a transit commission meeting on Wednesday.



The study identified three categories of riders: Choice or commute-oriented, Transit dependents and occasional riders.


In a period between 2009-2017, transit dependents and occasional riders both decreased by about 10 percent, while choice riders were up 13 percent.



RELATED: Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority unveils new bus, light rail services



Summary of the findings:



Bay Area ridership has fallen but more recently and less steeply than the rest of the nation



Off-peak declines are far steeper.



Evidence suggests that rising housing prices and ride-hail use loom large.



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