The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced that 9.6 billion trips were taken on U.S. local public transportation systems in 2004, an increase of 2.11.... The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced that 9.6 billion trips were taken on U.S. local public transportation systems in 2004, an increase of 2.11 percent over the previous year. This growth rate was faster than highway vehicle travel, which grew by 1.14 percent in 2004.

The largest increase of ridership in 2004 was in light rail, which showed an 8.2 percent increase from 2003. The light rail mode includes streetcars and trolleys. Several new light rail services started in 2004 in cities across the country including: Houston, Minneapolis, Little Rock, Charlotte, and Trenton. Expanded light rail services in 2004 went into effect in Pittsburgh, San Jose, Memphis, New Orleans, Portland (OR), Sacramento, and Jersey City (NJ).

Other rail modes also saw increases. Heavy rail (also called subways) increased nationally by 3 percent. Commuter rail increased by 0.3 percent, while buses saw a ridership increase of 1.7.

Demand response, also called paratransit, grew 4.1 percent, making it the second largest modal increase in 2004. This service is comprised of passenger cars, vans or small buses that serve primarily older Americans and persons with disabilities.