Photo: METRORecent data released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) highlights the growth and economic impact of the public transportation industry in the United States, reinforcing the need for strong and consistent investment in public transportation systems nationwide. APTA’s new 2025 Public Transportation Fact Book shows ridership reached 7.66 billion trips in 2024 — a significant rebound from pandemic lows, according to an association release. “What these statistics really show is that public transportation is more than just moving people from point A to point B,” Skoutelas said. “Every trip on public transportation supports local businesses, reduces traffic congestion, and provides transportation options that benefit entire communities.”APTA also released its 2025 Q2 Ridership Report, showing that public transportation ridership was 7.3% higher in the second quarter of 2025 compared to the year before. Riders took more than 2 billion trips on public transportation in the quarter for the first time since 2020.