Mode detail

Heavy Rail

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

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Boardings

Nationwide, annual

Operating cost

As reported and in 2024 dollars

Largest Heavy Rail operators, FY2025

# Agency Service Boardings Operating cost Cost / ride Subsidy / ride Fare recovery
1 Directly operated 2,315,209,369 $6,676,814,205 $2.88 $1.59 44.9%
2
Washington Metro
Washington, DC
Directly operated 179,589,512 $1,793,514,936 $9.99 $7.75 22.4%
3 Directly operated 138,392,897 $890,281,711 $6.43 $5.22 18.9%
4 Directly operated 93,891,610 $461,458,581 $4.91 $3.39 31.1%
5 Directly operated 64,279,458 $650,632,000 $10.12 $7.34 27.4%
6 Directly operated 61,580,169 $270,113,635 $4.39 $3.52 19.9%
7
SF BART
Oakland, CA
Directly operated 56,592,868 $885,628,745 $15.65 $11.47 26.7%
8 Directly operated 30,374,183 $325,654,807 $10.72 $9.29 13.3%
9
Los Angeles Metro
Los Angeles, CA
Directly operated 21,993,894 $278,641,728 $12.67 $12.19 3.8%
10 Directly operated 14,980,418 $144,250,664 $9.63 $8.62 10.4%
11 Directly operated 5,865,870 $63,130,000 $10.76 $8.35 22.4%
12
Baltimore MTA
Baltimore, MD
Directly operated 5,592,186 $102,010,045 $18.24 $17.83 2.2%
13
MTA Staten Island Railway
Staten Island, NY
Directly operated 5,436,672 $98,360,983 $18.09 $17.05 5.8%
14 Purchased transportation 4,870,445 $72,972,324 $14.98 — —
15 Directly operated 2,860,386 $40,034,105 $14.00 $12.64 9.7%
16 Purchased transportation 1,185,082 $90,646,340 $76.49 $74.79 2.2%