The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is reporting that more than 36 million passengers rode on its commuter trains during the fiscal year that ended June 30. That's up from 35.3 million the year before, and it breaks the previous record of 35.5 million from 2008.
The increase mirrored a nationwide trend, with public transit in general and trains in particular gaining riders in recent years.
Overall last year, SEPTA says total ridership declined slightly to 337.3 million trips on its trains, buses and trolleys - down from 339.3 million trips the year before. But SEPTA officials say those numbers were impacted by a two-day shutdown during Superstorm Sandy.
