MBTA Reports Record Ridership In May

BOSTON (AP) -- More commuters appear to be leaving their cars at home and taking the T.

The MBTA reported record ridership on its subway system last month, and the busiest month of May for buses in nine years.

Gasoline prices peaked at nearly $4 per gallon in early May before starting to decline. In addition to high gas prices, state transportation officials cited the state's improved economy and new customer service initiatives -- such as a cell phone app that tells passengers when the next train is arriving -- for helping improve ridership.

Subway ridership increased by 8.4 percent in May compared to the same month a year ago.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo told the Boston Herald that for the first time since 2008, the entire system has averaged more than 1.3 million weekday riders in two consecutive months.

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