Public Transportation Seeing Recent Growth After Decade of Decline
Most U.S. cities aren’t known for their public transportation. Still, the environmental and economic impact of choosing public transportation is becoming increasingly important.
We’ll look at where public transportation usage is highest and how it’s changed.
Key findings
- New York and the District of Columbia lead in public transportation usage by a wide margin. 23.5% of employees in New York utilize public transportation (excluding taxis) to get to work — the highest among the states — with D.C. close behind at 22.9%. The next highest state is New Jersey at 9.6%.
- Nearly every state has seen a decrease in public transportation usage over the past decade. Only one state — South Dakota — experienced an increase between 2014 and 2023, rising just 0.2 percentage points. Meanwhile, three states — Maine, New Hampshire and Arkansas — saw no change. The District of Columbia saw the biggest decrease, with public transportation usage falling 13.2 percentage points.
- Recently, however, public transportation is on the rise. Looking at American Public Transportation Association data, total public transportation ridership increased by 15.6% from 6.20 billion riders in 2022 to 7.16 billion in 2023. By transportation type, trolleybuses experienced the biggest jump during this period, rising 20.8%.
- Among workers who use public transportation, those 25 to 44 account for nearly half of ridership. Going back to U.S. Census Bureau data, this age group accounts for 49.4% of public transportation users. Those 45 to 54 are next, at 17.1%. Conversely, workers 16 to 19 use public transportation the least, at 2.9%.
- Nearly one-third of workers who use public transportation make $75,000 or more. This income group accounts for 32.6% of public transportation users — the only income group above 15.0%. Despite being just one income bracket lower, consumers making $65,000 to $74,999 (5.1%) use public transportation the least.
New York has highest public transportation usage
By state, New York has the highest percentage of employees who use public transportation (including buses; subways or elevated rail; long-distance trains or commuter rails; light rails, streetcars or trolleys; and ferryboats) to get to work, at 23.5%. That’s largely unsurprising given that nearly 43% of the state’s residents live in New York City — known for its robust subway system (one of the oldest and longest in the world) and extensive bus fleet.
The District of Columbia follows, with 22.9% of workers using public transportation. Similarly, D.C. has an extensive railway and bus system. Additionally, 70% of D.C.’s workers lived outside the city in 2019, according to the D.C. Policy Center, meaning more workers here are likely to utilize public transportation to commute to the city.
States with the highest percentage of workers using public transportation
| Rank | State | % of workers using public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 23.5% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 22.9% |
| 3 | New Jersey | 9.6% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey data. Note: Public transportation excludes taxicabs.
In a distant third, 9.6% of New Jersey workers commute to work via public transportation. (For comparison, an average of 2.6% of employees across the 50 states and D.C. use public transportation to get to work.) New Jersey’s public transportation system consists mainly of buses, but light rail lines and commuter rail lines are also available. Notably, New Jersey’s system connects through major points in New York and Philadelphia, where many residents may work.
Whether these commuters are carless or don’t drive often, LendingTree auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent Rob Bhatt says using public transportation can be a massive financial benefit.
Conversely, North Dakota and Mississippi tie for last, with just 0.2% of employees using public transportation to get to work. In North Dakota, workers using public transit only utilize buses and ferryboats to commute to work, according to the Census public transportation data. It’s similar in Mississippi, though the data also cites minimal subway/elevated rail usage.
That’s followed by Oklahoma, Alabama and Arkansas, at 0.3% each.
Full rankings
States with the highest/lowest percentage of workers using public transportation
| Rank | State | % of workers using public transportation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 23.5% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 22.9% |
| 3 | New Jersey | 9.6% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 7.3% |
| 5 | Illinois | 6.6% |
| 6 | Maryland | 4.9% |
| 7 | Hawaii | 4.1% |
| 8 | Washington | 4.0% |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 3.8% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3.7% |
| 11 | California | 3.1% |
| 12 | Virginia | 2.5% |
| 13 | Delaware | 2.3% |
| 13 | Nevada | 2.3% |
| 15 | Oregon | 2.2% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1.9% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 1.7% |
| 18 | Colorado | 1.6% |
| 18 | Utah | 1.6% |
| 20 | Florida | 1.4% |
| 21 | Arizona | 1.2% |
| 21 | Wyoming | 1.2% |
| 23 | Georgia | 1.1% |
| 23 | Ohio | 1.1% |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 1.1% |
| 26 | Vermont | 0.9% |
| 26 | Michigan | 0.9% |
| 26 | Texas | 0.9% |
| 29 | Alaska | 0.8% |
| 29 | Maine | 0.8% |
| 29 | Louisiana | 0.8% |
| 29 | Missouri | 0.8% |
| 29 | Iowa | 0.8% |
| 34 | South Dakota | 0.7% |
| 34 | New Mexico | 0.7% |
| 34 | Indiana | 0.7% |
| 34 | Kentucky | 0.7% |
| 34 | New Hampshire | 0.7% |
| 39 | North Carolina | 0.6% |
| 39 | Idaho | 0.6% |
| 39 | Montana | 0.6% |
| 42 | Tennessee | 0.5% |
| 42 | West Virginia | 0.5% |
| 42 | Nebraska | 0.5% |
| 45 | Kansas | 0.4% |
| 45 | South Carolina | 0.4% |
| 47 | Arkansas | 0.3% |
| 47 | Alabama | 0.3% |
| 47 | Oklahoma | 0.3% |
| 50 | Mississippi | 0.2% |
| 50 | North Dakota | 0.2% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey data. Note: Public transportation excludes taxicabs.
Public transportation usage has largely fallen over past decade
Almost every state has seen a decrease in public transportation usage over the past decade. In fact, just one saw an increase: South Dakota, up 0.2 percentage points between 2014 and 2023.
That’s especially notable because South Dakota is the only state in the contiguous U.S. that has never had Amtrak service. The Census data shows increases in the state in bus, subway/elevated rail and ferryboat usage.
Meanwhile, three states saw no change in public transportation usage: Maine, New Hampshire and Arkansas.
4 states where public transportation usage improved or remained the same
| Rank | State | % of workers using public transportation, 2014 | % of workers using public transportation, 2023 | % point change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 0.5% | 0.7% | 0.2 |
| 2 | Maine | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.0 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.0 |
| 2 | Arkansas | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau 2014 and 2023 American Community Survey data. Note: Public transportation excludes taxicabs.
Conversely, the District of Columbia saw the only double-digit decrease. Public transportation usage fell 13.2 percentage points during this time frame, mainly because of bus and subway/elevated rail decreases.
It’s followed distantly by New York (4.8 percentage points) and Maryland (4.1 percentage points). Comparatively, the 50 states and D.C. saw an average dip of 1.3 percentage points in the same period.
These decreases can largely be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bhatt says. With stay-at-home orders, remote work and general exposure concerns, public transportation usage fell dramatically between 2019 and 2020. Remote and hybrid work has persisted beyond the pandemic, meaning ridership has struggled to return to prepandemic levels. Still, Bhatt is optimistic for a revival.
Despite these decreases in public transportation usage, it’s worth noting that the cost of public transportation fell between 2014 and 2023. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the cost of public transportation fell 3.2% from 276.4 in 2014 to 267.6 in 2023. The cost of private transportation (both new and used vehicles) rose 26.2% in the same time, jumping from 211.0 to 266.4.
Additionally, private transportation-related costs rose during that time, too, with car insurance rising 63.8%, maintenance and repairs rising 44.3%, and parts and equipment rising 24.8%.
Full rankings
States with the largest percentage point increases/decreases in public transportation usage
| Rank | State | % of workers using public transportation, 2014 | % of workers using public transportation, 2023 | % point change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 0.5% | 0.7% | 0.2 |
| 2 | Maine | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.0 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.0 |
| 2 | Arkansas | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.0 |
| 5 | Kansas | 0.5% | 0.4% | -0.1 |
| 5 | Alabama | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 0.4% | 0.3% | -0.1 |
| 5 | Mississippi | 0.3% | 0.2% | -0.1 |
| 9 | Vermont | 1.1% | 0.9% | -0.2 |
| 9 | Iowa | 1.0% | 0.8% | -0.2 |
| 9 | Idaho | 0.8% | 0.6% | -0.2 |
| 9 | West Virginia | 0.7% | 0.5% | -0.2 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 0.7% | 0.5% | -0.2 |
| 14 | South Carolina | 0.7% | 0.4% | -0.3 |
| 15 | Wyoming | 1.6% | 1.2% | -0.4 |
| 15 | Indiana | 1.1% | 0.7% | -0.4 |
| 15 | Kentucky | 1.1% | 0.7% | -0.4 |
| 15 | Tennessee | 0.9% | 0.5% | -0.4 |
| 19 | Alaska | 1.3% | 0.8% | -0.5 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 1.1% | 0.6% | -0.5 |
| 19 | Montana | 1.1% | 0.6% | -0.5 |
| 19 | North Dakota | 0.7% | 0.2% | -0.5 |
| 23 | Delaware | 2.9% | 2.3% | -0.6 |
| 23 | Ohio | 1.7% | 1.1% | -0.6 |
| 23 | Michigan | 1.5% | 0.9% | -0.6 |
| 23 | Louisiana | 1.4% | 0.8% | -0.6 |
| 23 | New Mexico | 1.3% | 0.7% | -0.6 |
| 28 | Florida | 2.1% | 1.4% | -0.7 |
| 28 | Texas | 1.6% | 0.9% | -0.7 |
| 30 | Arizona | 2.0% | 1.2% | -0.8 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | 1.9% | 1.1% | -0.8 |
| 30 | Missouri | 1.6% | 0.8% | -0.8 |
| 33 | Utah | 2.5% | 1.6% | -0.9 |
| 34 | Georgia | 2.1% | 1.1% | -1.0 |
| 35 | Connecticut | 4.8% | 3.7% | -1.1 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | 3.0% | 1.9% | -1.1 |
| 37 | New Jersey | 11.0% | 9.6% | -1.4 |
| 38 | Colorado | 3.3% | 1.6% | -1.7 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | 5.7% | 3.8% | -1.9 |
| 40 | Nevada | 4.3% | 2.3% | -2.0 |
| 40 | Minnesota | 3.7% | 1.7% | -2.0 |
| 42 | California | 5.3% | 3.1% | -2.2 |
| 42 | Virginia | 4.7% | 2.5% | -2.2 |
| 44 | Washington | 6.3% | 4.0% | -2.3 |
| 45 | Massachusetts | 9.8% | 7.3% | -2.5 |
| 45 | Oregon | 4.7% | 2.2% | -2.5 |
| 47 | Illinois | 9.4% | 6.6% | -2.8 |
| 48 | Hawaii | 7.2% | 4.1% | -3.1 |
| 49 | Maryland | 9.0% | 4.9% | -4.1 |
| 50 | New York | 28.3% | 23.5% | -4.8 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | 36.1% | 22.9% | -13.2 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau 2014 and 2023 American Community Survey data. Note: Public transportation excludes taxicabs.
Recent years have seen resurgence in public transportation
Despite the challenges public transportation has faced, ridership is on the rise. Turning to American Public Transportation Association data, total public transportation ridership — not just workers — increased 15.6% from 6.20 billion riders in 2022 to 7.16 billion riders in 2023.
Of course, that may be attributed to the jump in private transportation costs mentioned before. Insurance costs alone have risen 17.4% between 2022 and 2023, according to the CPI. Meanwhile, maintenance and repair costs have risen by 11.5%.
Percentage change in ridership by public transportation type
| Public transportation type | Ridership, 2022 | Ridership, 2023 | % change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ridership | 6,195,294,000 | 7,163,671,000 | 15.6% |
| Heavy rail | 2,278,452,000 | 2,603,359,000 | 14.3% |
| Light rail | 302,249,000 | 345,147,000 | 14.2% |
| Commuter rail | 266,412,000 | 316,293,000 | 18.7% |
| Trolleybus | 47,869,000 | 57,812,000 | 20.8% |
| Bus | 3,050,578,000 | 3,553,597,000 | 16.5% |
| Demand response | 136,302,000 | 157,008,000 | 15.2% |
| Other | 113,432,000 | 130,455,000 | 15.0% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of American Public Transportation Association data.
Trolleybuses experienced the biggest increase (20.8%) in ridership. They’re particularly popular in San Francisco — the city with the largest fleet in the U.S. — and Seattle — the city with the second-largest fleet.
Following that, commuter rail (18.7%) and buses (16.5%) saw the next-biggest ridership jumps.
Those ages 25 to 44 most likely to use public transportation
As far as public transportation usage by age, workers ages 25 to 44 account for nearly half of all ridership. Turning back to U.S. Census Bureau data, workers in this age range account for 49.4% of public transportation users.
That can largely be attributed to the cost of private transportation, Bhatt says.
Meanwhile, those ages 45 to 54 account for 17.1% of users. On the other hand, those ages 16 to 19 use public transportation the least, at 2.9%, though that may have more to do with this population making up a smaller percentage of overall working Americans.
Percentage of workers using public transportation by age group
| Age group | % of workers using public transportation |
|---|---|
| 16 to 19 | 2.9% |
| 20 to 24 | 11.1% |
| 25 to 44 | 49.4% |
| 45 to 54 | 17.1% |
| 55 to 59 | 7.5% |
| 60 and older | 12.0% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey data. Note: Public transportation excludes taxicabs.
Looking at income, just under one-third (32.6%) of workers using public transportation make $75,000 or more. That’s significantly higher than the next income group, those earning $35,000 to $49,999, which accounts for 13.6% of users.
Why are both ends of the income spectrum represented here? According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation riders in the largest cities tend to have higher incomes than those using public transportation in smaller and midsize cities.
Conversely, workers making $65,000 to $74,999 (5.1%) use public transportation the least. In a close second, those making $10,000 to $14,999 account for 5.5% of public transportation users.
Percentage of workers using public transportation by income range
| Income range | % of workers using public transportation |
|---|---|
| $1 to $9,999 | 10.3% |
| $10,000 to $14,999 | 5.5% |
| $15,000 to $24,999 | 11.0% |
| $25,000 to $34,999 | 11.5% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 13.6% |
| $50,000 to $64,999 | 10.4% |
| $65,000 to $74,999 | 5.1% |
| $75,000 or more | 32.6% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey data. Note: Public transportation excludes taxicabs.
Lowering car costs with public transportation: Top expert tips
If owning and using a car has you feeling underwater financially, public transportation can be a great way to lower those costs. Particularly, Schulz recommends the following:
- Learn your options for commuting to work. Driving to work — especially if you go into the office every weekday — can wear down a vehicle quickly. “Using public transportation can extend the life of your vehicle by reducing the wear and tear on its mechanical systems, and — obviously — it also reduces the amount you have to spend on gas,” Bhatt says. “Public transportation also often provides a less stressful alternative to the traffic congestion and gridlock.”
- If you’re using transit regularly, find out if you can get a low mileage discount from your car insurance company. “Some companies give this to you if you drive less than 7,500 miles a year, but you may have to document your mileage,” he says. “A few companies offer pay-per-mile insurance, which also helps low-mileage drivers get cheaper car insurance.”
- A little goes a long way. “If you’re only using transit one or two times a week and driving the rest of the time, transit will still save you a little money,” Bhatt says. “This is still good.”
Methodology
LendingTree researchers analyzed U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey (with one-year estimates) data to calculate the states with the highest percentage of workers using public transportation.
The number of workers 16 and older who used public transportation was divided by the total number of workers 16 and older in each state to calculate the percentage using public transportation in each state. We utilized 2014 data to calculate the change from 2014 to 2023. 2023 data was also used to highlight public transportation usage by age range and income group.
Researchers also analyzed American Public Transportation Association (APTA) data to find the change in ridership by public transportation mode from 2022 to 2023.
Note: On Dec. 10, we updated the data in the section utilizing the APTA as it didn’t reflect the figures were displayed in thousands.