Urban public transit, October 2022
Released: 2022-12-20
Highlights
In October, ridership on Canada's urban transit networks continued to grow, reaching 117.3 million trips and recovering more than two-thirds (69.3%) of its level in October 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
More people riding transit
Canada's urban transit networks provided 117.3 million passenger trips in October, an increase of 35.6% (+30.8 million trips) from October 2021, marking the 19th straight month of year-over-year increases.
With employment edging up and gasoline prices sharply increasing by 17.8% year over year in October, more people were using public transit to get to work and elsewhere. In fact, October ridership was the highest monthly total since March 2020, with the number of transit commuters now more than two-thirds (69.3%) of the pre-pandemic level in October 2019. That said, there were 51.9 million fewer passenger trips in October 2022 compared with the same month in 2019.
October experienced employment gains in several industries, led by manufacturing, construction, and accommodation and food services, which all require on-site presence. The October Labour Force Survey also reported more workers returning to the office with hybrid work arrangements, while the proportion of those who worked exclusively from home was down.
On a monthly basis, public transit ridership increased by 6.9% from September to October in 2018 and 2019. Meanwhile, October 2022 ridership grew slightly (+0.4%).
Financial situation continues to improve
In October, total operating revenues (excluding subsidies) totalled $276.1 million, an increase of 41.5% (+$81.0 million) from October 2021. While this was the highest level recorded since March 2020, it was still below the level in October 2019 (-24.5%; -$89.5 million), before the pandemic.
Chart 1
Urban public transit operating revenue and passenger trips, monthly, 2018 to 2022
Note to readers
Initial estimates for September 2022 have been revised downward to reflect new information.
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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