Transit ridership rises, thanks to young commuters and high gas prices

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Transit ridership rises, thanks to young commuters and high gas prices
April 17, 2012|By Paul Nussbaum, Inquirer Staff Writer


High gas prices and the changing habits of young people are driving a shift toward mass transit that could influence budget battles in Washington and state capitals.

Nationwide last year, buses, subways, and trains had their second-highest ridership since 1957 - behind only 2008, when the price of gas topped $4 a gallon. Locally, SEPTA, NJ Transit, and PATCO all report increased ridership.

Amtrak, which last week said it carried 3.7 percent more passengers in the six months that ended in March than in the same period a year earlier, appears headed for its ninth national ridership record in 10 years.

U.S. highway use was down slightly in 2011, with 1.2 percent fewer vehicle miles traveled than in 2010, and 1.3 percent fewer than in 2007. .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://articles.philly.com/2012-04-17/news/31355828_1_gas-prices-ridership-mass-transit