System-wide ridership in August 2026 increased by 5.3% from August 2025. August 2025 was when major service cuts were implemented due to the financial crisis.
Average daily ridership was 697,340 unlinked trips across all modes which is up 2.47% from July 2026. August ridership is typically higher than July but much lower than September once schools re-open. The highest ridership of the month came on 8/25 with 801,791 passenger trips coinciding with comfortable weather and the Eagles training camp public practice.
Ridership jumped during the final week of the month. The USGA Tournament drove M ridership early in the month. The return of school students and the implementation of the New Bus Network drove growth during the final days of the month.
Weekday bus ridership increased by 9.3% or 31,686 trips per weekday to this time last year. Saturday ridership was up 7.2% and Sunday ridership was up 3.8%. This was the best year over year growth month since October 2024.
Ridership on Heavy Rail (Metro L, B, and M) decreased by 0.9%. This year there was no Trolley Blitz resulting in lower ridership in the L relative to this time last year. Ridership was down 5% on the L and up 5% on the B.
Trolley ridership increased by 18% as a result of not having a Trolley Blitz this year.
Metro ridership expanded by 1.5% compared to August 2025.
Regional Rail ridership increased by 0.1% or 76 passenger trips per day. Bus substitution service was in effect on the West Trenton Line between West Trenton and Yardley and on the Manayunk/Norristown Line between Elm Street and Norristown Transit Center.
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