Public transit systems with big ridership gains

Americans are boarding public buses, trains and subways in greater numbers than any time since the suburbs began booming, according to new ridership numbers.

Public transit passengers took nearly 10.7 billion trips in 2013 — the highest total since 1956.

What follows is a look at which transit agencies saw the biggest gains.

Urban area; Agency; Increase in unlinked passenger trips 2012 to 2013; percent increase

New York City; New York City Transit Authority; 120,635,700; 3.6 percent

Los Angeles; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; 9,194,200; 2 percent

New York City; New Jersey Transit; 4,049,700; 1.5 percent

Seattle; King County Department of Transportation; 3,204,400; 2.7 percent

Miami; Miami-Dade Transit Agency; 2,493,800; 2.3 percent

Seattle; Sound Transit; 2,341,600; 8.4 percent

Denver; Regional Transportation District; 2,257,500; 2.6 percent

Houston; Metro Transit Authority; 2,257,000; 2.7 percent

San Diego; Metropolitan Transit System; 2,230,000; 2.6 percent

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Source: American Public Transportation Association