Abstract
During the 2010s, public transit ridership declined significantly across the U.S., including in California. Over the same period, though, transit funding steadily increased each year. These two trends created challenging conditions for transit operators, which were losing riders despite expanding service. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed transit ridership to historic lows. Though some riders have returned, transit’s ridership recovery has been highly uneven.UCLA researchers examined where, how, and why transit ridership and operations have changed during the pandemic by analyzing National Transit Database data, reviewing relevant academic literature, and conducting interviews with transit managers. While both the demand for and supply of transit have changed throughout the pandemic, long-established strategies for better service and increasing ridership still stand: improving reliability, frequency, and safety for users
