Urban public transit, September 2022
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Released: 2022-11-21
Highlights
In September 2022, the number of urban transit passenger trips in Canada hit a pandemic-era high, reaching 120.6 million for the first time since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.
With more workers returning to the workplace—full time and hybrid—along with schools reopening, transit ridership has recovered almost three-quarters (73.5%) of its pre-pandemic level from September 2019.
Ridership surges to pandemic-era high
In September 2022, an estimated 120.6 million passenger trips were taken on Canada's urban transit networks, an increase of 46.7%, or 38.4 million trips, from September 2021. This was the 18th consecutive month of year-over-year growth and the highest monthly total recorded in two and a half years.
According to the Labour Force Survey, fewer people were working from home in September 2022. With students heading back to school and more people returning to workplaces amid elevated gas prices, public transit ridership reached its highest level since the onset of the pandemic. While passenger volume has recovered almost three-quarters (73.5%) of its pre-pandemic level, there were still 43.4 million fewer rides compared with September 2019.
On a monthly basis, public transit ridership typically increased by an average of 12% from August to September before the pandemic, as that is when school resumes and workers return from summer vacations. However, September 2022 had a higher-than-average increase of 24.7%, or 23.9 million rides, from August. This increase was widespread across the country.
Financial situation continues to improve
In September, total operating revenues (excluding subsidies) reached $273.0 million—an increase of 44.3%, or $83.8 million, from September 2021. This was the highest level recorded since March 2020, but remained down (-26.0% or -$96.0 million) compared with the pre-pandemic September 2019 level.
Chart 1
Urban public transit operating revenue and passenger trips, monthly, 2018 to 2022
Note to readers
Data for the most recent quarter are subject to revision. The data in this release are not seasonally adjusted.
This survey collects data on operating revenue (excluding subsidies) and the number of passenger trips from a panel of urban transit companies that represents at least 75% of revenues in each province and territory. Note that the panel is adjusted annually to maintain the 75% coverage and could differ slightly from what it was in the same month the previous year.
Data prior to January 2017 can be found in Table 23-10-0078-01.
The Transportation Data and Information Hub, a web portal developed jointly by Statistics Canada and Transport Canada, provides Canadians with online access to comprehensive statistics and measures on the country's transportation sector.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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