The number of office workers in the United States has increased significantly.

The number of commuters using buses across the United States has increased significantly. The number of people commuting by bus across the United States rose to the second-highest level in history last year. Melanie Fey, President of the National Transit Association (M…

The number of people commuting by bus nationwide rose to the second-highest level in history last year. Michael Melaniphy, president of the National Transit Association, said Monday that bus ridership numbers would have been higher had it not been for Superstorm Sandy, which hit the East Coast and knocked out many transit systems.

According to Reuters, the National Transit Association reported that as more people find jobs, the number of people taking subway trains, buses, light rail and other rapid transit systems in the United States last year reached 10.52 billion, an increase of 1.49%.

According to USA Today, a 2012 report from the National Conference of State Legislatures said that if a person gave up driving and instead commuted by bus, he could save $10,000 a year.

Regardless of the type of bus, the number of passengers is growing. Reuters said that compared with 2011, the number of passengers on heavy rail trains such as subways increased by 1.42%, that of light rail trains increased by 4.47%, that of commuter trains increased by 0.52%, and that of buses increased by 1.2%. Some urban light rail systems have expanded or added lines, and the number of passengers has increased rapidly.

During the highest quarter last year, the number of bus passengers was lower than during the same period in 2011, showing the huge impact of Superstorm Sandy. In November last year, the number of unemployed people in New York and New Jersey increased by 41,600 due to hurricanes.

Rising gasoline prices and a dislike of traffic jams have caused the largest increase in bus ridership since 2008. 2008 was the highest number of bus passengers since 1957.

Melanifee said that nearly 60% of bus passengers are office workers.

The U.S. unemployment rate has been falling for more than a year, although economists believe it remains above healthy levels. The unemployment rate at the end of last year was 7.8%, down from 8.5% at the end of 2011.

The Transit Association pointed out that the number of passengers on the Seattle and Washington bus systems increased by 11.8%, and more than 30,000 new jobs were created in these cities.

At least 15 MRT systems set new passenger records last year. At present, the problem in the MRT industry is whether the bus system can meet the needs. Traditionally, fare revenue represents only a portion of a transit system's capital and operating expenses, requiring substantial subsidies from federal, state, and local governments.

Melanifee pointed out that among the 62 measures put on the ballot across the United States, 49 are to increase the rapid transit tax. The association hasn't seen such high support for funding bus systems since 2000.

Congress passed the long-awaited Surface Transportation Funding Authorization Act last year. It includes loans, grants and grants for rapid transit systems to repair and upgrade equipment. That program is not affected by federal sequester cuts because it is funded by the federal gas tax.