BY ANTHONY O’REILLY
The MTA announced that its annual ridership increased to the highest point in 62 years, despite the disruptions to service caused by Sandy.
More than two billion rides were provided throughout 2012, an increase of a little more than half a percent.
“MTA ridership has been growing for 20 years, and this positive trend reflects New York State’s improving economy and continuing improvements to the MTA’s services,” MTA Interim Chairman Fernando Ferrer said.
Subway ridership saw an increase of close to 14 million more riders from 2011, bringing the total tally of subway riders to 1.654 billion riders, the agency’s highest point.
“Our ridership growth has been strongest among discretionary riders and during off-peak times,” said MTA Interim Executive Director Thomas F. Prendergast.
Bus routes also had a drastic increase from 2011, climbing 1.2 percent or more than 1.45 million rides from the year before.
The MTA estimates it lost a total of close to 50 million trips because of Sandy, most of those coming from disruptions on New York City Transit buses.
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