Mass Transit Ridership Surprise

For some reason it appears to surprise some people that mass transit ridership numbers have increased as gas prices have increased. That seems like a bit of a no-brainer. In a market where fuel is cheap everyone wants their freedom. When fuel costs are higher, they are willing to deal with less freedom and will ride mass transit. Just FYI - Most people do not really do anything to "Save the Planet". It usually revolves around how does it directly effect them and there pocketbook.

Mass transit will be widely accepted and ridden in two scenarios: heavy traffic and high fuel prices. If you have either one or both mass transit becomes and option that people will consider.

Now that said the article that I linked to also describes how people are having problems with mass transit. To me this is a two-fold problem: government is notoriously pathetic at maintaining, managing and running ANYTHING. Too many examples to name. Second, this is a perfect time and reason to find a way to raise taxes for mass transit. While there is demand voters will be accepting of tax increases to pay to fix the transit systems that they are now actually riding.