While transit ridership across the country has been recovering from the COVID pandemic five years ago, MTS is gaining riders back to the system faster than almost anywhere else in the country.

According to a May 2025 report from the American Public Transit Association (APTA), the national average for ridership recovery from pre-pandemic is at 85%. In Fiscal Year 2025, MTS logged nearly 81 million trips, about 95% of it's pre-pandemic levels.

Of the largest 25 transit agenices in the ocuntry, MTS is #2 for fastest ridership growth since 2020 (second only to the New York bus system).

Many transit agencies across the country are facing financial difficulties, with some major operators having to slash million in service as we speak in areas like Dallas, Pittsburgh and more.

In about three years (starting mid-2028), MTS expects to face funding shortages of more than $100 million annually, or about 25% of its operating budget.