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Higher fuel prices turning into higher use of mass transit
Higher gas prices are pinching Twin City residents in the wallet, so residents are trying to find ways to pinch back. The result, since the gasoline price spike several weeks ago, more people are turning to mass transit to get to work. And that's not the only place where life is changing. "I've known people who've sworn they won't take the train, who are taking the train now because of prices," said a man waiting for the light rail to arrive. A young man waiting for the bus said it was a simple choice of economics, "Taking the bus, I can save a tank and use it about a week- and - a ? half. I'm saving like 30 bucks a week." And more than just a couple drivers appear to be pursuing savings. Metro transit says light rail set a ridership record in August. Express bus riders from the far flung suburbs to downtown also jumped more than 10 percent the last couple months. And parking at inner suburban park-n-rides in September, rose 22 percent from last fall. Metro Transit Assistant General Manager Julie Johanson said several factors account for the increase, "We think that is attributable to fuel prices and we have a 1-800 new rider program. We're seeing more people call to learn about the bus." Higher fuel prices are changing taxi company's travel habits as well. At Airport Taxi and Town Taxi, company officials sought a way around higher prices with a hike in fare prices. They requested and got a 30 cents a mile meter hike in Minneapolis. That's crucial for drivers like Leroy Becker, who must pay for all their gas. Becker says that's been about $70 more a week in the past month or so. "That makes quite a difference when you're not making a lot of money anyway," said Becker. Metro Transit will soon be launching a series of ads featuring Batman that are aimed at getting even more people on the bus. By Greg Vandegrift, KARE 11 News (Copyright 2005 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
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