MBTA ridership surpasses 37M passenger trips for 1st time

The number of passenger trips on the MBTA topped the 37 million mark last month for the first time in the transit agency's history.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said Friday that the 37.28 million passenger trips in October were 1.5 percent more than the year-ago month.

The commuter rail had a 1.6 percent increase year-over-year, heavy rail had a 5.6 percent increase, while boat ridership jumped nearly 8 percent. Bus trips were down almost 9 percent.

The numbers came three months after the MBTA raised fares by 5 percent.

General Manager Beverly Scott said in a statement the numbers are proof that fare hikes will not deter riders if they are getting safe and reliable service.

On a typical weekday last month, an average 1.377 million passenger trips were made.