Mode detail

Heavy Rail

Heavy rail: subways and metros running on their own grade-separated track, powered by a third rail.

← All modes

Boardings

Nationwide, annual

Operating cost

As reported and in 2024 dollars

Largest Heavy Rail operators, FY2024

# Agency Service Boardings Operating cost Cost / ride Subsidy / ride Fare recovery
1 Directly operated 2,207,269,846 $6,500,549,691 $2.95 $1.64 44.5%
2
Washington Metro
Washington, DC
Directly operated 143,537,550 $1,712,057,631 $11.93 $9.83 17.6%
3 Directly operated 127,463,409 $835,264,922 $6.55 $5.27 19.6%
4 Directly operated 84,772,414 $406,567,583 $4.80 $3.18 33.7%
5 Directly operated 62,489,580 $598,828,004 $9.58 $7.14 25.5%
6 Directly operated 54,877,338 $288,544,426 $5.26 $4.37 16.8%
7
SF BART
Oakland, CA
Directly operated 53,222,212 $851,562,085 $16.00 $12.02 24.9%
8 Directly operated 31,126,899 $276,701,180 $8.89 $7.57 14.8%
9
Los Angeles Metro
Los Angeles, CA
Directly operated 22,841,584 $246,352,140 $10.79 $10.28 4.7%
10 Directly operated 14,515,543 $116,967,389 $8.06 $7.12 11.6%
11 Directly operated 5,643,435 $57,673,291 $10.22 $7.85 23.2%
12
MTA Staten Island Railway
Staten Island, NY
Directly operated 5,343,041 $89,191,034 $16.69 $15.79 5.4%
13
Baltimore MTA
Baltimore, MD
Directly operated 3,658,312 $96,351,030 $26.34 $25.71 2.4%
14 Purchased transportation 3,309,381 $69,659,388 $21.05 $20.19 4.1%
15 Directly operated 3,151,597 $43,139,412 $13.69 $12.36 9.7%
16 Purchased transportation 1,157,841 $82,907,633 $71.61 $70.34 1.8%