Charlottetown recorded the single largest year-over-year percentage increase in public transit ridership in the country last year, according to the Canadian Urban Transit Association.

Other communities with double-digit increases in 2007:

  • Kelowna, B.C., 18.1 per cent
  • Saskatoon, Sask., 17 per cent
  • Laurentides, Que., 14.9 per cent
  • Whitehorse, 11.2 per cent
  • Brandon, Man., 10.3 per cent

The national average increase in public transit use was just over three per cent, but in Charlottetown, 25.5 per cent more people hopped on a bus in 2007 than the previous year, the association said Monday.

Buses started rolling down Charlottetown streets in 2005, and ridership has increased beyond expectations each year.

Last month, more than 13,000 bus rides were recorded by Charlottetown Transit.

More Canadians are choosing to use public transit because of a growing awareness that it can ease traffic congestion and cut urban pollution, said association chair Steve New.