Are Gas Prices Causing Drivers To Switch To Public Transit?

USA Today reports that public transit systems across the United States are seeing an increase in ridership, presumably due to rapidly increasing gas prices.

1 minute read

April 26, 2006, 11:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen

For example, in Washington D.C.: "Washington, D.C. -- Thursday was the sixth-busiest day in history on Metrorail, the area's train system, while Tuesday was the ninth busiest. There were no special events in the area to explain the higher ridership."

..."The increase in ridership, or number of trips, is similar to last year when gasoline prices hit record levels, William Millar, of the American Public Transportation Association, says. The number of trips nationwide was up 5% in August and September compared with the same months in 2004. 'It looks like history is repeating itself,' he says. 'The spike in gas prices is causing many people to look for ways to beat the high cost, and trying transit is one of the things they are doing.' "

Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth

FULL STORY: Drivers switch to public transit

Tuesday, April 25, 2006 in USA Today

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