Urban rail transit agencies are navigating shifting travel patterns and changing ridership demands in a rapidly evolving transportation landscape. TRB hosted a webinar on Monday, June 16, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Eastern that featured perspectives from academia, a transit agency, and a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), bridging research and practice in these shifts. Presenters discussed strategies for strengthening ridership resilience, adapting to new travel behaviors, and implementing effective fare policy responses. Attendees gained practical insights on meeting more diverse travel needs, attracting new riders, and enhancing long-term system viability and resilience.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Standing Technical Committee on Urban Rail Transit Systems.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Rail transit ridership resilience lessons California and Florida – Meiqing Li, University of Central Florida
• Responding to return-to-office travel patterns– Catherine Vanderwaart, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Improving service through changes in regional fare programs and policies – Kenji Anzai, Metropolitan Transportation Commission
• Question and answer session moderated by Matthew Hui, RSG

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Identify key factors that influence urban rail transit ridership
• Analyze evolving travel patterns in relation to changes in commuting
• Evaluate agency response strategies and assess their potential effectiveness in supporting ridership recovery

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1.5 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credits. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.