The MTA released its ridership figures for 2009 yesterday.  Apparently there were over 63 million fewer rides on the system than in 2008.  The system total is still a respectable 2.31 billion, but it represents the first annual drop since 2003.

Fault is, of course, the great recession and the effect job-loss has on the need to use the train every day.

The diminishing ridership comes in the face of budget shortfalls and service cuts.

Still, anyone standing on overcrowded platforms between 7 AM and 9 AM is forgiven for wondering how those 63 million extra passengers fit on to the already overcrowded trains.

Check out NY1 for a news clip.