From: "nigel allen" <nigel.allen@canrem.com>
Subject: New Rider Profile Discloses 'Typical' Mass Transit Patron
Reply-To: "nigel allen" <nigel.allen@canrem.com>
Organization: Canada Remote Systems
Distribution: talk
Date: 25 Jan 93 08:20:33 EST


Here is a press release from the American Public Transit Association.

 New Rider Profile Discloses 'Typical' Mass Transit Patron
 To: National Desk, Transportation Writer
 Contact: Chip Bishop of the American Public Transit Association,
          202-898-4114

   WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 -- A new profile of the typical U.S. 
transit rider has emerged from a ridership analysis
just published by the American Public Transit Association (APTA).
   She is a minority female with below average income, going to and
from work.
   APTA Chairman Louis J. Gambaccini said the findings illustrate
the importance of public transit to the nation's economic
well-being.  "More dramatically than ever, it is clear that many
people in metropolitan and rural areas depend on transit service
for their livelihood.  Millions would be cut off from their jobs
and fall through the social safety net without affordable, reliable
bus and train service.  In addition to the essential mobility
transit provides for many members of the nation's work force, we
also have riders who take public transit for the convenience it
provides them, for the time it allows them to read their newspaper,
for example, and for its contribution to a cleaner environment."
   On an average weekday, the APTA survey found, 7.5 million people
board public transit.  More than half (54 percent) of all transit
"trips" are made to and from work; school trips comprise another
15 percent.  The remainder are for shopping, medical visits and
recreation.

   Other key findings include:
  -- About 28 percent of all riders have annual family incomes of
less than $15,000, twice the national "poverty rate," as measured
by the Census.
   -- Nonwhites make up a majority of riders. Thirty-one percent
are African-American.  Eighteen percent are Hispanic and six
percent are "other."
   -- While 52 percent of riders nationally are female, the
percentage frequently ranges between 60-75 percent in small cities
and rural areas;
   -- Children and youth make up one out of every 10 riders, senior
citizens seven percent and people with disabilities about one
percent.
   The report concludes, "Very simply, the economic stability and
growth of many of our nation's urban centers depends on mass
transit's ability to economically transport people to the work
place."
   Gambaccini said that demographic projections and the trend of
increasing urbanization suggest that the number of people with
transit-riding characteristics will continue to increase and the
demand for services can also be expected to grow.
   APTA says the ridership profile was determined from survey
results of 136 transit systems, accounting for 60 percent of total
U.S. transit ridership.
   APTA is the international association of operating transit
authorities, their suppliers and other advocates of improved
transit service.
    ------
   For a copy of the APTA report, "Americans in Transit," and for
further information and interviews, contact Chip Bishop of APTA
at 202-898-4114.
 -30-
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