Buses are a pivotal form of transportation, providing millions of Americans convenient, cost-effective access to work, schools or other locations around the city. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), public transportation ridership is up more than 30 percent since 1996, and 50 percent of all public transit trips occur by bus — a testament to the economic and social benefits to taking a bus. As with any mode of transportation, safety is paramount. Since the advent of technology, the frequency of bus crashes has gone down significantly.