This same situation applies to the Broad Street Subway. That line has more empty seats than the Vet during a Phillies game. The other big difference in the ridership of three decades ago and the ridership of today is the ridership itself. Way back then, passengers were civil to one another, made eye contact, and were not adverse to making small talk among themselves. The spirit of conviviality has become one more victim of changing times.
Commuters are indifferent at best, hostile toward one another at worst.
Eye contact today is between the passengers and the floor in a sight line so rigid you could string laundry along it. There were a lot of sourpuss operators when Phantom Rider first was assigned his beat. Another positive aspect wrought by changing times is the reduction of crime. When Phantom Rider first took on his mission, the system was rife with thieves. He had to fend off pickpockets, hat-nappers, eyeglass snatchers and shopping bag lifters, and commuters crazed by reefer madness.