In This Blog
- Transit ridership has rebounded to 85% of pre-pandemic levels as of early 2025, with buses leading the recovery due to their essential role for frontline and younger workers.
- Smaller cities are recovering more quickly than major metropolitan areas, driven by fewer transit alternatives and a stronger return to in-person work.
- Agencies that successfully retained riders focused on safety, transparent communication, and flexible service—practices that remain essential today.
- Technologies like Vontas OnRoute support real-time tracking, disruption management, and rider communication, helping agencies modernise operations and build public trust.
- Future transit planning must be data-driven, adaptable, and responsive to local trends, with investments in tools that enhance reliability, transparency, and customer service.
Public Transit’s Comeback: A Post-Pandemic Outlook
Public transit has always been a cornerstone of community life, connecting people to jobs, education, and opportunity. But the COVID-19 pandemic strained that system like never before. Now, over five years later, new insights from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)’s “On the Horizon: Planning for Post Pandemic Travel” report show that ridership is rebounding, and point to where agencies should focus next.
Buses Drive the Recovery
Transit ridership has climbed back to 85% of pre-pandemic levels as of early 2025, a major leap from the 20% low in April 2020, according to APTA. Buses have led this recovery, thanks to their essential role for frontline workers and those with limited transportation options.
During the height of the pandemic, bus ridership dropped to 28%, while rail fell by 90%. Buses remained a lifeline for essential workers, late-shift employees, and younger riders, 22% of whom are under 25, according to APTA. These younger riders, often employed in hospitality and service industries, returned to in-person work sooner than office-based workers, especially in smaller and mid-sized cities where remote work is less common.
Smaller Cities Bounce Back Faster
APTA’s data reveals that smaller urban centres are recovering more quickly than major metros. This is likely due to fewer alternatives to transit and a stronger return to physical workplaces. The takeaway? Transit agencies must tailor their strategies to local realities. What works in Toronto may not apply in Saskatoon. Data-driven, community-specific planning is key.
Safety, Community, and Flexibility are Key
Agencies that successfully maintained ridership during and following the pandemic shared several key strategies. According to APTA’s report, best practices included: clear and consistent communication with the public, proactive service adjustments, prioritization of essential riders, and a visible commitment to the safety of both passengers and staff.
These insights remain just as relevant today as they were in 2020. Riders want to stay informed and feel assured about the reliability and safety of their journey. This underscores the importance of modernizing the systems that keep people connected and up to date.
Where Vontas Fits In
For many agencies, modernizing legacy systems to meet today’s demands is a critical step forward. Solutions like Vontas OnRoute offer valuable features such as real-time vehicle tracking and efficient disruption management, enhancing operational visibility. This empowers dispatchers, operators, and riders to respond swiftly to route changes or unexpected events.
Vontas also strengthens communication with riders by integrating real-time information into digital signage, mobile apps, and customer service platforms. When riders know exactly when the next bus will arrive, and trust that it’s safe and reliable, they’re more likely to continue using transit services.
As agencies strive to rebuild trust and meet evolving expectations, technology plays a pivotal role. The right CAD/AVL platform enables teams to plan more effectively, improve on-time performance, and adapt quickly to shifting travel patterns with precision.
Planning for What Comes Next
APTA’s research delivers a clear message: transit agencies must learn from the past five years and embed successful strategies into their long-term operations. Several key benefits have emerged that agencies should continue to implement:
- Embracing more agile planning and operations
- Doubling down on communications and customer service
- Investing in technology that enhances safety, reliability, and transparency
- Closely monitoring emerging trends, from demographic shifts to remote work patterns
While ridership may not return in the same form, the right tools, data, and strategies can help public transit evolve into a stronger, more resilient, and indispensable service.
Read the full report here.