From 2013 to 2023, the number of public transportation users in the US increased steadily, with the exception of 2020 when usage dropped by 16% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was a rapid recovery in 2021 with a 15.8% increase, and the number of users reached 8.52 million in 2023, which translated to a 1.1% year-on-year growth. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last five years was 1.17%, indicating a moderate but consistent increase.
Looking forward, the forecasted data from 2024 to 2028 shows a continued upward trend, with the CAGR expected to be 0.88%. This indicates a steady average annual growth rate of 4.5% over the five-year forecast period, suggesting that public transportation will continue to gain popularity among US workers.
Future trends to watch for include increased urbanization, technological advancements in transportation, and environmental concerns, which could all drive further increases in public transportation usage. In addition, policy changes and infrastructure investments could significantly influence the trajectory of public transportation adoption.