News Online: LRT ridership on the rise

Published online at GlobalTVEdmonton.com on February 16, 2011.


Linda Hoang, Global News: Wednesday, February 16, 2011

LRT ridership on the rise

The number of Edmontonians choosing to ride the LRT is on the rise.

Ridership statistics released this week by the Edmonton Transit Service show ridership growth in both bus and LRT service.

Weekday LRT use has increased “significantly” from 74,400 in 2009 up to 93,600 in 2010.

Ridership on both bus and LRT service climbed from 68.5 million in 2009 up to 76.3 million in 2010, an increase of nearly eight million riders.

“That’s telling us that people want to use the LRT,” said Bob Boutilier, general manager of transportation.

Boutilier credits the expansion of the LRT to Century Park last April for the increased growth in public transit.

He said Wednesday the statistics will hopefully help the city acquire more funding for LRT expansion, including funding from the federal government.

“This shows to them that we have a plan that works,” Boutilier said. “It’s a good investment so now is the time to invest. People will come if you build it.”

Boutilier expects ridership increase numbers from 2010 to 2011 to be in the 10 to 12 million range.

Click here to read the article on the Global Edmonton website.

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