High Gas Prices Fuel Transit Boom

Plummeting gas prices haven't driven us back to cars ... but now fewer have jobs to commute to

(NEWSER) - Dramatic increases in public transportation ridership have outlived sky-high gas prices, but the souring economy could reverse the trend, USA Today reports. Nationwide, third-quarter ridership was up 7% compared to last year, spurred by $4-a-gallon gas in July. Some municipalities saw almost 20% more commuters on their trains and buses. But people without jobs don't need any form of transportation for commuting. More»

Ridership was up 2.3% from 2010

(NEWSER) - If you think the subway has felt extra crowded lately, you likely aren't imagining things: Americans are hopping on public transportation more often, according to a new report out today, with the number of bus and train passengers last year reaching its second highest level since 1957. Nationwide, transit ridership was up 2.3% from 2010, to 10.4 billion trips, the American Public Transportation Association says. Vehicle miles of travel, meanwhile, dropped 1.2%. More»

Stimulus funds will go to other states

(NEWSER) - The US is redistributing $1.2 billion in federal stimulus money that had been headed to Ohio and Wisconsin, after both states' Republican governors-elect called for an end to proposed train projects, arguing they were unnecessary and would cost millions to operate. “Wisconsin taxpayers were victorious today in defeating this project,” said incoming Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, who had argued the train line would be unpopular and would cost the state about $7.5 million a year. More»

Diesel expenses eat up shrinking budgets even as commuters abandon cars

(NEWSER) - The same agencies that stand to benefit as commuters turn to public transit to escape high gas prices are finding themselves hamstrung by rising fuel costs, the Wall Street Journal reports. Ridership is up by as much as 35% for some bus lines, but the cost of diesel has doubled and economic woes are slowing sales-tax revenue, the main source of transit funding. More»

(NEWSER) - New York City public transportation ground to a standstill early this morning after violent thunderstorms tore up trees, damaged cars, and flooded underground train tracks, halting or delaying every single subway line, reports the New York Times. Flights at all three major airports in the metropolitan area were pushed back or canceled. More»