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VTA Ridership Continued Rise

San Jose, Calif. – The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) continues to see a rise in ridership this year, with strong increases in bus boardings. Ridership during the summer typically dips due to kids being out of school and people on vacation. Combined with the high cost of fuel and the green consciousness to protect the environment, the total ridership on VTA’s bus and light rail system continues to climb.

In August 2008:

• Total monthly system ridership for bus and light rail was 3,832,156, an increase of 2.6% over August 2007;
• Average weekday ridership was 145,228, a jump of 6.6% compared to 2007 and the highest since August 2002;
• Average weekday bus ridership was 109,082, an increase of 8.2% from August of last year;
• Bus ridership for fiscal year 2008 is up 4.4% compared to fiscal year 2007;
• Light rail recorded an average weekday ridership of 36,146, a 2% increase from last year.

   “Santa Clara County residents continue to see the value of riding public transportation to beat the high gas prices and protect the environment,” VTA General Manager, Michael Burns said. “This continued growth in ridership is remarkable, particularly since an economic downturn usually causes fewer people to ride public transit. People choosing greener commute habits underlines the urgent need for increased investment in public transportation from state, local and federal governments.”

 Increases in enrollment in VTA's Eco Pass Program has also driven VTA's ridership surge. The Eco Pass Program provides employers of all sizes with a way to offer an attractive, low-cost employee benefit while providing alternative transportation options to employees.   The Residential Eco Pass Program also offers discounts to residents of housing developments like condominiums, apartments, townhouses, and neighborhood and community associations.   Eight new clients have joined since January including 550 Moreland Apartments, Infinera, Connexus, and EORM.

For more information on how to enroll in the Eco Pass Program or for personalized trip planning, please contact VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, TTY only (408) 321-2330, or log onto www.vta.org

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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.