A press release from the American Public Transportation Assocation, released in conjunction with their EXPO 2005, notes sharp increases in transit ridership.

The increase is attributed to rising gas prices and new technologies:

Many transit system officials attribute this growth to higher gas prices, expansion of services and improved passenger services. Recent years have seen a proliferation of new technologies that have greatly enhanced the riding experience and made it easier than ever to use public transportation. On-board wireless Internet, GPS mapping services, smart fare cards, advanced passenger information technologies, and in-rail car television and radio networks are just a few examples of the innovations in today’s public transportation systems.