More Americans are turning to public transportation as opposed to cars, a transportation report revealed today. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, train ridership is growing, especially for Amtrak, while SEPTA's bus ridership is shrinking. A potential SEPTA union strike could affect the numbers for this quarter even more if contract negotiations are not finalized before the weekend.

According to a report released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Americans are opting to take buses, trains, trolleys and subways to get to where they're going. Last year's 10 billion recorded trips reached the highest numbers since 1956, a growing trend that has continued for almost a decade. Since 1995, public transit ridership grew more than population and car mileage. 

While more Americans are living in cities with greater access to public transportation, large metropolitan areas weren't the only spots to witness growth—smaller areas with fewer than 100,000 residents saw the greatest increases in bus services. 

APTA attributed some of the recent growth to economic recovery—more jobs means more commuting. However, the association also argued that there is a changing attitude when it comes to public transportation. 

"There is a fundamental shift going on in the way we move about our communities," APTA CEO Michael Melaniphy wrote in a press release. "People in record numbers are demanding more public transit services and communities are benefiting with strong economic growth."

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, more riders are using Amtrak's Keystone Service, which grew ten times more than SEPTA's regional rail ridership. The Keystone route travels between New York City and Harrisburg, stopping in Philadelphia. Trips taken on Amtrak's New York to Harrisburg route increased by 33 percent, compared to SEPTA's 3 percent increase for regional rail trips. SEPTA's bus and trolley services dropped in ridership. 

Riders aren't the only ones choosing not to board SEPTA buses and trolleys—the authority's largest union has threatened to strike if workers' needs are not met by the time current contracts expire later this week. The last strike in 2009 interrupted service for almost a week and affected thousands across the city.