Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

Table 10
Passenger-Miles

(Millions)

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Mode 1970 1980 1990 1999 2000
Air carriers 108,442 204,368 345,873 487,906 515,367
General aviation 9,100 14,700 13,000 U U
Passenger cars 1,750,897 2,011,989 2,281,391 R2,494,870 2,547,044
Motorcyclesa 3,277 12,257 12,424 R11,527 11,527
Other 2-axle, 4-tire vehicles 225,613 520,774 999,754 R1,432,625 1,469,189
Busesb N N 121,398 R162,445 161,152
Rail          
Transitc N 10,939 12,046 U U
Commuter 4,592 6,516 7,082 U U
Intercity/Amtrakd 6,179 4,503 6,057 5,330 5,498
Other transite N 390 841 U U

a In July 1997, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, reassigned some vehicles from "passenger car" to "other 2-axle, 4-tire."

b Includes municipally owned transit, commercial, federal, and school buses.

c Includes light and heavy rail only.

d Fiscal year data. Amtrak began operations in 1971.

e Includes demand-responsive, ferry boat, and other transit not specified; 1980 data include ferry boat and "other transit" only.

Key: N = data do not exist; R = revised. U = unavailable.

Sources: Various sources, as cited in U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, National Transportation Statistics 2001, table 1-31, available Spring 2002 at www.bts.gov, or email to answers@bts.gov.

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