The Metro Transit reported that ridership rose by 3.5 percent, or 2.7 million rides in 2011. Roughly 80.9 million rides were taken on its buses, light rail and Northstar commuter line.

It’s the fifth consecutive year ridership topped 76 million annually. The highest amount of rides in year was in 2008 with 81.8 million rides.

According to a report from the Star Tribune, the ridership broke down like this: 

• Bus ridership was 69.8 million 
• Hiawatha light rail line had 10.4 million rides
• Northstar had 703,000 rides