Unfortunately, under our system of government, difficult but effective decisions like raising the gas tax are discouraged. Americans therefore prefer to try the easy way out.

I actually don't even think there's anything particularly wrong with trying "the easy way out" in most circumstances.  It is often a much more convincing case to say "we tried [cheaper option] X and it didn't work, so we're going to have to try [more expensive option] Y" than to say "X will never work, move straight to Y."

 

Open up ANWR, and the offshore fields of California and other places where moratoriums are in effect.  Then, when oil prices continue to rise anyway, the argument that "well, all we need to do is open up domestic sources for exploration" simply won't be there anymore.  Where do the people arguing for more domestic fossil fuel exploration and less alternative energy production turn then?  At the very least, I think you'd see enough people peeled off from the anti-alternatives side to make a sustainable political consensus in favor of supporting alternative energy research and deployment.

Yep, I understand all that. Sometimes I feel like a parent watching my children going through the pains of learning the same lessons I learned years ago. Yes, that sounds arrogant, and maybe it is, but sometimes I just don't think people can/want to use their own brains to test the outcomes of theories, or maybe they just don't read as much about the subject as I do.

Maybe, but whatever you might feel, they're not your children, they're your fellow adult citizens and their opinions are entitled to far more respect than you give them.

 

Don't you think it would be easy for me to fall into the same attitude trap?  I read a lot, including on transportation, energy, economics, and technology issues.  I was a National Merit Finalist and have an elite degree and a diamond-studded resume.  I'm civically involved, and therefore connected with a lot of people who are well in tune with issues affecting my city and state.  It would be so easy to simply dismiss anyone who disagreed with me or lived differently than me as being "silly," ignorant, misinformed, etc. etc. etc.  I'm sure I fall short on that score, but I do my best to avoid it.  For one thing, there are people out there who read and who are intelligent and who still disagree with you, or with me.

Yep, and it still pisses me off!

 

EDIT: the problem is I'm too impatient. You'd think after being involved in passenger rail and transit advocacy in Ohio for nearly 30 years that I'd see some progress by now......

You're getting better at it KJP  ;)

Maybe by the time I turn 175 I should have it all figured out.

OK, back to more relevant news/info....

 

3/9/2011    Light Rail

 

DART to add light-rail trips during rush hour; consider streetcar prototype vehicle

 

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is planning more frequent light-rail trips on the Red Line North/Orange Line to increase capacity for new riders as gasoline prices continue to rise.

 

To start April 11, the new schedule is expected to increase capacity by 28 percent during morning and afternoon rush hours, DART officials said in a prepared statement.

 

Capacity will be added by increasing departure times from every 15 minutes to 7.5 minutes, and by adding four trips during the morning rush and six trips during the afternoon rush.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/DART-to-add-lightrail-trips-during-rush-hour-consider-streetcar-prototype-vehicle--25986

Maybe by the time I turn 175 I should have it all figured out.

 

And you'll be screaming "You kids get off my small, eco-friendly lawn in a high density neighborhood!" :-P

Lawn? What's that?

Gas seems to be dropping.  Saw it below 3.40/gal at a Shell station while on the bus today.

Rising Gas Prices Spur Calls For U.S. Oil Production

by Scott Horsley

 

March 10, 2011 The average price of gasoline across the country has topped $3.50, up 14 cents from a week ago and 77 cents higher than this time last year.

 

As pump prices rise, so does the chorus of criticism from Republicans, who accuse the Obama administration of deliberately curtailing U.S. oil production.

 

"What about domestic supply?" asked Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) this week. "What about the Gulf of Mexico? What about all of our other vast energy resources that we are taking off the table and shutting down?"

 

Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), who is chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has cataloged ways he says the administration has frustrated oil production, from suspended drilling leases to increased red tape. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) posted highlights of the list on his website.

 

Read more or Listen at: http://www.npr.org/2011/03/10/134406134/rising-gas-prices-spur-calls-for-u-s-oil-production

up $0.10 to $3.59 across the street

"What about domestic supply?" asked Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) this week. "What about the Gulf of Mexico? What about all of our other vast energy resources that we are taking off the table and shutting down?"

 

 

What "vast" resources? We have some resources that will slow overall domestic depletion rates. But this is politics, not solutions. America is good at the former, not so good at the latter.

Cover story on today's USA Today...

 

Americans squeezed by gas prices

By Gary Strauss, USA TODAY

 

Salesman Tyler Legerski is seeing a big impact from soaring gas prices in tiny Sheridan, Wyo.

 

Over the past week, five motorists have swapped SUVs and pickups for gas-sipping hybrid Priuses at Sheridan's Freemont Toyota dealership.

 

"Usually this time of year, nobody gives up their four-wheel drive around here," Legerski says.

 

After six years at Freemont, he's more accustomed to moving brawny Tundras and Tacoma pickups than compact cars in the heart of cowboy country. No longer. "People are getting scared of higher gas prices," he says.

Read more at: http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2011-03-11-1Agas11_CV_N.htm

Yesterday i saw station in Liberty twp at $3.25. When i drove to Kenwood it was $3.49. How can the price change .50 in a 30 mile range?????

Was it the same gasoline supplier (ie: Marathon, Shell, BP)? Or does the same person/company own both gas stations?

This was something I heard on NPR yesterday. For all the calls of 'Drill baby Drill', we've actually increased domestic production in recent years (and yes, in spite of the recent ban on offshore drilling)

 

Rising Gas Prices Spur Calls For U.S. Oil Production

by Scott Horsley

 

"..."Since this administration has taken over, they have done everything to block energy development in this country," Hastings said.

 

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who may challenge the president next year, suggested that Obama is quietly cheering for even higher prices at the pump.

 

"The Obama energy policy to me seems very clear. It's to increase the cost of energy so Americans will use less of it," Barbour said at a conference organized by the Wall Street Journal. "When you shut in the Gulf of Mexico, and American domestic oil production goes down, to me that is bad policy for our country."

 

But White House spokesman Jay Carney said there's one problem with this line of argument: Domestic oil production last year rose to its highest level since 2003.

 

According to the federal government's Energy Information Administration, U.S. oil production jumped nearly 3 percent last year, while oil imports fell. While the administration did suspend some Western drilling leases near national parks early on, the administration argues that oil producers still have 41 million acres in which to drill.

 

"Where it makes sense to lease, we're leasing with abandon as we work closely with the oil and gas industry," said Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes. "And the production numbers are demonstrating that...."

 

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/10/134406134/rising-gas-prices-spur-calls-for-u-s-oil-production

 

 

Sorry Addicta, er, America. High gas prices are here to stay and will only get worse. Best thing that could happen to America.

Yesterday i saw station in Liberty twp at $3.25. When i drove to Kenwood it was $3.49. How can the price change .50 in a 30 mile range?

 

I noticed the same differences.  Today at Shell stations I saw it up to 3.59, but I swear I saw it lower earlier in the week elsewhere, riding by on the bus.

 

Best thing that could happen to America.

 

I dont know if I like that attitude.

The end of the oil age is either going to be a little bit painful or a lot painful. It will be a lot painful if we let the markets play this out all by themselves, by pushing the oil supply peak out as far as it can go until production crashes without any other alternative fuel ready to replace it. Or we can artificially raise the price on petroleum products to encourage the market to develop alternatives now. Either we can fall off a cliff or take a bumpy ride down the backslope of peak oil. I'll take the latter, and I'd want everyone I care about to take the latter.

 

Thanks for softening your original message. Next time, ask me what I mean rather than assume the worst in people.

Best thing that could happen to America.

 

I dont know if I like that attitude.

 

KJP is right though.  The faster we ween ourselves off of artificially low priced oil the better we will all be in the future.  It sucks for people that simply don't have the extra money to afford this increase in gas prices, but the price increase needs to happen.  I've seen stories in the last week about people who drive 50-100 miles round trip for work and are really hurting because of the price of gas.  Am I supposed to feel bad for that person?  Move closer to work or find a job closer to home!

The end of the oil age is either going to be a little bit painful or a lot painful. It will be a lot painful if we let the markets play this out all by themselves, by pushing the oil supply peak out as far as it can go until production crashes without any other alternative fuel ready to replace it. Or we can artificially raise the price on petroleum products to encourage the market to develop alternatives now. Either we can fall off a cliff or take a bumpy ride down the backslope of peak oil. I'll take the latter, and I'd want everyone I care about to take the latter.

 

This is where we disagree, KJP.  I don't believe in the production crash theory you align yourself with.  I think the market will do a fine job of moderating the price of oil... if we let it.  What we don't need is to tap into our STRATEGIC NATIONAL OIL RESERVE to save a few pennies at the pump.  I also don't think we need to artificially raise the price of gasoline to decrease consumption.  However, I do think we need to get our gas tax revenue in line with highway expenditures. 

 

Supply and demand is a beautiful thing and I think it will do wonders to soften the blow of peak oil.

The end of the oil age is either going to be a little bit painful or a lot painful. It will be a lot painful if we let the markets play this out all by themselves, by pushing the oil supply peak out as far as it can go until production crashes without any other alternative fuel ready to replace it. Or we can artificially raise the price on petroleum products to encourage the market to develop alternatives now. Either we can fall off a cliff or take a bumpy ride down the backslope of peak oil. I'll take the latter, and I'd want everyone I care about to take the latter.

 

This is where we disagree, KJP.  I don't believe in the production crash theory you align yourself with.  I think the market will do a fine job of moderating the price of oil... if we let it.  What we don't need is to tap into our STRATEGIC NATIONAL OIL RESERVE to save a few pennies at the pump.  I also don't think we need to artificially raise the price of gasoline to decrease consumption.  However, I do think we need to get our gas tax revenue in line with highway expenditures. 

 

Supply and demand is a beautiful thing and I think it will do wonders to soften the blow of peak oil.

 

This is where I come in, too, with the addition of supporting a VMT fee, if one could be practically implemented without privacy violations or excessive compliance failures, in order to pay for highway infrastructure.  We can both save the federal government money and encourage the development of more efficient technologies by simply reducing our existing subsidies for oil production.  A combination of increasing the gas tax and instituting a VMT fee would effectively nullify the indirect subsidy of highway spending by having drivers actually pay for its costs, or at least enough of them to be meaningful (I know some people have a much, much more expansive definition of the "costs" of highways, but I'm limiting my scope here to the more colloquial definition).

 

I support the VMT fee in addition to the gas tax because I want to diversify revenue streams so that electric vehicles do not escape paying for the highways entirely; they may not be burning oil, but their weight and tires are still putting wear and tear on the road.

The SPR is not part of my thinking either. Obama would be stupid to tap it now. Miss America bitching about the price of gas as she fuels up her 25 mpg car for her solo, 30-mile round-trip commute to work is not a national emergency.

 

I think that if we rush to produce more oil we have in order to reduce the price of it today, what will we have left of it tomorrow? And what is our alternative energy sources for tomorrow? I have no problem of using up the oil we have if there is an equal (I'll even settle for nearly equal) substitute that will be ready to replace it tomorrow. But there isn't. Right now, our choices available to us are not desirable -- if we don't use the oil the world has, then all but the most wealthy face starvation. And if you think that's being overly dramatic, track the triggers of much of the political unrest in recent years. You'll find much of it is due to high food costs due to high fuel costs and an increasing amount of agricultural land being used to grow feedstock for biofuels. Please note I said "trigger" -- I have no doubt that political despotism is what is the populace's flammable material, but the rising price of food is the match.

 

How do we create better choices for the people? Do we consume oil at the rate we're consuming even though we don't know if/when/what alternatives the market will provide for us? Or do we instead buy for ourselves -- and the market -- more time to develop oil alternatives by holding back on new oil production?

 

EDIT: let me put it this way... If I'm a fat dude stranded on a deserted island with one month's worth of food, is it wise for me to keep eating the way I've been or should I go on a diet to extend that food supply to increase my chances of still being alive when a boat finally appears on the horizon? That's how I view the situation we're in.

The strategic oil reserve should be saved for the use of the military or during disasters.

The end of the oil age is either going to be a little bit painful or a lot painful. It will be a lot painful if we let the markets play this out all by themselves, by pushing the oil supply peak out as far as it can go until production crashes without any other alternative fuel ready to replace it. Or we can artificially raise the price on petroleum products to encourage the market to develop alternatives now. Either we can fall off a cliff or take a bumpy ride down the backslope of peak oil. I'll take the latter, and I'd want everyone I care about to take the latter.

 

This is where we disagree, KJP.  I don't believe in the production crash theory you align yourself with.  I think the market will do a fine job of moderating the price of oil... if we let it.  What we don't need is to tap into our STRATEGIC NATIONAL OIL RESERVE to save a few pennies at the pump.  I also don't think we need to artificially raise the price of gasoline to decrease consumption.  However, I do think we need to get our gas tax revenue in line with highway expenditures. 

 

Supply and demand is a beautiful thing and I think it will do wonders to soften the blow of peak oil.

 

The laws of supply and demand are also subject to the sort of speculation we saw in 2008 and now. The latter is being driven by instablity in the Mideast and one source says that prices could zoom to $20/gal if Saudi Arabia blows up. Markets like stability. Libya is a bit player and the markets are already roiled. Just imagine what will happen if one of the major producers goes thru the sort of upheaval we are seeing elsewhere.

 

So much for stability!

The strategic oil reserve should be saved for the use of the military or during disasters.

 

Amen. It would be very stupid to use it for anything else. I'm amazed they are even considering this.

 

$3.59/gal at the Speedway in Westerville, Kasich's home town.

This was something I heard on NPR yesterday. For all the calls of 'Drill baby Drill', we've actually increased domestic production in recent years (and yes, in spite of the recent ban on offshore drilling)

 

Rising Gas Prices Spur Calls For U.S. Oil Production

by Scott Horsley

 

"..."Since this administration has taken over, they have done everything to block energy development in this country," Hastings said.

 

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, who may challenge the president next year, suggested that Obama is quietly cheering for even higher prices at the pump.

 

"The Obama energy policy to me seems very clear. It's to increase the cost of energy so Americans will use less of it," Barbour said at a conference organized by the Wall Street Journal. "When you shut in the Gulf of Mexico, and American domestic oil production goes down, to me that is bad policy for our country."

 

But White House spokesman Jay Carney said there's one problem with this line of argument: Domestic oil production last year rose to its highest level since 2003.

 

According to the federal government's Energy Information Administration, U.S. oil production jumped nearly 3 percent last year, while oil imports fell. While the administration did suspend some Western drilling leases near national parks early on, the administration argues that oil producers still have 41 million acres in which to drill.

 

"Where it makes sense to lease, we're leasing with abandon as we work closely with the oil and gas industry," said Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes. "And the production numbers are demonstrating that...."

 

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/10/134406134/rising-gas-prices-spur-calls-for-u-s-oil-production

 

 

 

Shows that Haley Barbour & company never let the facts get in the way of sound-bite.  What utter morons.

Best thing that could happen to America.

 

I dont know if I like that attitude.

 

KJP is right though.  The faster we ween ourselves off of artificially low priced oil the better we will all be in the future.  It sucks for people that simply don't have the extra money to afford this increase in gas prices, but the price increase needs to happen.  I've seen stories in the last week about people who drive 50-100 miles round trip for work and are really hurting because of the price of gas.  Am I supposed to feel bad for that person?  Move closer to work or find a job closer to home!

 

Its not fair to tell people where to work, as if that is completely in anyone's control.

Sorry Addicta, er, America. High gas prices are here to stay and will only get worse. Best thing that could happen to America.

 

I feel the exact same way. I heard someone say the other day, "Man, I'll be glad when gas goes back down." I don't know what they meant by "back down" (2.45, 3.20?) or what planet they're on, but gas is not going back down. At least not to prices at what most would consider comfortable. I actually would not mind seeing gas spike to $5 a gallon by summer. Maybe that will help remove some of the lane-hogging SUVs puttering down the road.

 

Raising the prices at the pump is something that needs to be done. Hopefully it can help mitigate the heavily car dependent mindset that most Americans harbor.

Best thing that could happen to America.

 

I dont know if I like that attitude.

 

KJP is right though.  The faster we ween ourselves off of artificially low priced oil the better we will all be in the future.  It sucks for people that simply don't have the extra money to afford this increase in gas prices, but the price increase needs to happen.  I've seen stories in the last week about people who drive 50-100 miles round trip for work and are really hurting because of the price of gas.  Am I supposed to feel bad for that person?  Move closer to work or find a job closer to home!

 

Its not fair to tell people where to work, as if that is completely in anyone's control.

 

I don't advocate telling people where to work, but I do advocate taking responsibility for the decisions you've made.  By deciding to work far from home you've exposed yourself to the risk that is gasoline prices.  Don't complain to me when prices go up!  It's a decision you made and now you have to live with it.  If you don't like it then you can move or take another job closer to home.

Unfortunately jobs aren't as steady or as plentiful as they once were.  You're often lucky to have one.  And uprooting yourself to get closer to work isn't always feasible, especially if that involves unloading a house.  Homeownership is not such a great idea anymore.  Our living patterns need to get in line with our new economy, and that probably means a lot more people should be renting.

 

Another issue is that many people are priced out of living near their job, or near job centers.  I agree that we need better transit options and less sprawl, but until that happens, many Americans will face long drives to work.

Best thing that could happen to America.

 

I dont know if I like that attitude.

 

KJP is right though.  The faster we ween ourselves off of artificially low priced oil the better we will all be in the future.  It sucks for people that simply don't have the extra money to afford this increase in gas prices, but the price increase needs to happen.  I've seen stories in the last week about people who drive 50-100 miles round trip for work and are really hurting because of the price of gas.  Am I supposed to feel bad for that person?  Move closer to work or find a job closer to home!

 

Its not fair to tell people where to work, as if that is completely in anyone's control.

 

I don't advocate telling people where to work, but I do advocate taking responsibility for the decisions you've made.  By deciding to work far from home you've exposed yourself to the risk that is gasoline prices.  Don't complain to me when prices go up!  It's a decision you made and now you have to live with it.  If you don't like it then you can move or take another job closer to home.

I work far from our house, but I really can't help it.  It's not that I tried to work far away from home.  I need to support my family, and that's most important.  So, do I have top live with my decision to take this job, yes.  But did I have a choice, no.  With four little mouths to feed, your going to do whatever it takes, and make things work.  I obviously thought about gas prices increasing to $5/gallon, and knew I could still pull it off.  Gas is a very volatile prodict when speaking in terms of price.  Heck, 2 years ago, I was paying $1.59/gallon for a little while, now, $3.59/gallon. 

I pretty much feel the way Hootenany does. While I realize there are circumstances that makes it difficult for some people to live close to work, I can't stand when people complain about their commute and gas prices like someone forced them to live where they reside or work at the place they chose to work at. I brought that up because a woman I work with lives out in Indiana and seemingly always comes to work complaining about traffic and how much gas is cutting into her budget. Either do something to change it or stop complaining to everyone else.

 

Since gas has gone up, I cut out all the spontaneous weekend road trips. My car costs about $50 to fill up now, which adds up really quick.

Rising gas prices push drivers to public transit

Middle East unrest fueling higher prices at pump as poor economy forces states, cities to cut back on public transportation

 

(CBS News)  LOS ANGELES -

 

In Pasadena, Calif., Jackie Gilberto rides the rails to her job in downtown Los Angeles.

 

So why did she ditch her car?

 

"About three months ago in November when I realized I was spending about $400 a month in gas," Gilberto said.

 

The train costs Gilberto $62 per month, and she now has plenty of company. Rail ridership in Los Angeles is up 8 percent versus last year -- from 273,756 in January 2010 to 298,180 last January, according to the local transit authority.

 

Full story at: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/08/eveningnews/main20040831.shtml?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea

"A woman I work with lives out in Indiana..."

 

Sometimes folks with long commutes came from farm families or small towns far away from metropolitan areas. When the jobs are mostly located in metropolitan areas, these folks have to choose between a long commute and moving away from home and family.

 

Other times, they come from metropolitan areas and moved out for the country lifestyle.

I worked with three people who all lived in the same rural upscale housing development, and they had a fifteen-mile commute to work. That was way back when gas prices were less than $2/gallon, but they used to gripe about traffic and about winter commuting. When I proposed they could car pool to share the burden, they defended their one-person-one car commuting by saying that their schedules were inconsistent and sometimes one or another had to come in early or leave late. During the four years from then until I retired, I never saw any of them in the office before 8am or after 4:30pm. All of them drove guzzler SUVs (They needed the heavy 4WD vehicles for Winter :laugh:), and I wonder if current fuel-cost trends might have changed their attitudes. At least two of them probably are retired by now, though.

 

Edit: 87-octane unleaded was $3.58 in Toledo on Saturday, March 12.

Transit News

http://www.apta.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/2011/Pages/110314.aspx

 

3/14/2011

Contact:

 

Virginia Miller

(202)496-4816

[email protected]

 

$5 a Gallon Gas Could Spur Up to 1.5 Billion Additional Passenger Trips On U.S. Public Transportation Systems

 

Congress needs to provide long-term investment in public transit to address impending demand

 

Washington, DC- A study released today by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) predicts that as gasoline prices continue increasing, Americans will turn to public transportation in record numbers.  APTA is calling on Congress to address this impending demand by providing a greater long-term investment in public transportation. 

 

The analysis reveals if regular gas prices reach $4 a gallon across the nation, as many experts have forecasted, an additional 670 million passenger trips could be expected, resulting in more than 10.8 billion trips per year. If pump prices jump to $5 a gallon, the report predicts an additional 1.5 billion passenger trips can be expected, resulting in more than 11.6 billion trips per year.  And if prices were to soar to $6 a gallon, expectations go as high as an additional 2.7 billion passenger trips, resulting in more than 12.9 billion trips per year.

 

“The volatility of the price at the pump is another wake up call for our nation to address the increasing demand for public transportation services,” said APTA President William Millar.  “We must make significant, long-term investments in public transportation or we will leave our fellow Americans with limited travel options, or in many cases, stranded without travel options.  Public transit is the quickest way for people to beat high gas prices if it is available.” 

 

Many of the public transit systems across the country are already seeing large ridership increases, some reaching double digits in the month of February.  For instance; the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority in Pompano Beach, FL increased by 10.6  percent; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority of Philadelphia, PA increased by 10 percent; The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority of Oakland, CA increased by 14 percent and Triangle Transit of Research Triangle Park, NC increased by 22.8 percent.

 

“We saw this same story in 2008 and several times before where high gas prices caught our country without adequate travel options,” said Millar.  “However, this time we can write a happy ending and make sure investment is made to expand public transportation so that more Americans have a choice in how they travel.”

 

APTA supports the Obama Administration’s transportation authorization blueprint and proposal which increases public transit investment by 128 percent over the next six years.  This type of investment would help close the gap for the 46 percent of Americans who do not have access to public transportation.   

 

APTA is encouraging riders to tell Congress they need more transportation options by going to publictransportation.org or text TRANSIT to 86677 and join the “I <3 (heart) transit campaign.”

 

The projected estimates use the 2010 APTA Public Transportation Ridership Report as a baseline.  The ridership is then increased by the reported elasticity multiplied by the projected price change to show ridership growth at a given increase above the average price for regular gasoline as reported in the last 2010 report by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy.

 

A copy of the report can be found at www.apta.com .

 

 

Below is a sampling of systems that have reported increases in ridership in 2011, starting with those systems that have seen double digit increases.  Please note that not all systems have February figures yet.

 

Durham, NC – Durham Area Transit Authority saw a 14.8% increase in ridership in January and a 21.8% increase in February.

 

Fort Wright, KY – Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky saw an increase of 3.6% in January, which jumped to a 10.3% in February.

 

Lafayette, IN – CityBus of Greater Lafayette saw an increase in ridership of 12.6% in January.

 

Oakland, CA – Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority saw double digit increases in ridership in January (11%) and February (14%). 

 

Orlando, FL – LYNX saw a 10.7% increase in January.

 

Philadelphia, PA – SEPTA saw a 10% increase in February, up from 2% in January.

 

Pompano Beach, FL – South Florida Regional Transportation Authority saw an increase of ridership of 6% in January and a double digit increase of 10.6% in February.

 

Raleigh, NC – Triangle Transit saw a 17.7% increase of ridership in January and a 22.8% increase in February.

 

Salt Lake City, UT – Utah Transit Authority had a 12% ridership increase in January and a 4.3% ridership increase in February.

 

San Antonio, TX – VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Express bus service had an 18% increase in ridership in January.

 

San Diego, CA – Metropolitan Transit System had a 7.3% increase in bus ridership and a 13% ridership increase in trolley ridership for January.

 

Tampa, FL – Hillsborough Area Regional Transit had an 18% increase in ridership in January and a 19% ridership increase in February.

 

Wenatchee, WA – Link Transit saw a 20.8% increase in ridership in January and 12.4% ridership increase in February.

 

 

Other systems that have reported ridership increases in 2011 include:

 

Arlington Heights, IL – Pace Suburban Bus saw an increase of 6.5% in January. 

 

Cincinnati, OH – Metro saw an increase in ridership of 1% in January and that rose to a ridership increase of 5% in February.

 

Cleveland, OH – Greater Cleveland RTA’s total rail ridership was up 7% and heavy rail ridership was up 11% in January.

 

Columbus, OH - Central Ohio Transit Authority saw an 8.3% increase in January.

 

Fort Myers, FL – Lee County Transit saw ridership increase by 4.9% in January and by 8.5% in February.

 

Fort Worth, TX – Fort Worth Transportation Authority saw an increase in ridership of 3.6% in January.

 

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Area Transportation Authority saw an increase in ridership of 2.6% in January.

 

Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  With some of the highest gas prices in the nation, LA Metro saw a 4.6% jump in ridership in January.  (LA Metro is planning buying the historic Union Station to enhance it for future expected growth in transit ridership with new rail lines being built, including high-speed rail.)

 

Louisville, KY – Transit Authority of River City saw an overall increase of 4% in January.  Additionally, TARC added buses on our two most popular routes in February and they are showing big gains --- 14 percent on one route and 15 percent on the other route.

 

Minneapolis, MN – Metro Transit saw an overall increase of 2.25%, but commuter rail is up 7.8%.  Also, the number of individuals visiting the Metro Transit web site for the first two months of the year are up 18% over Jan/Feb last year (179,382 avg./mo in 2011).  Additionally,

the number of visits to our web site for the first two months of the year are up 31% over Jan/Feb last year (586,199 avg./mo in 2011).

 

Muncie, IN – Muncie Indiana Transit System saw an increase in ridership of 8.1% in January.

 

Nashville, TN – Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority saw an increse of 6.5% in February.

 

Oakland, CA – Bay Area Rapid Transit saw an increase in ridership in January of 4.8% and increase in February of 3.7%.

 

Olympia, WA – Intercity Transit saw an increase of 3% in January.  Also, Intercity Transit is witnessing a surge in vanpool ridership, in the first 2 months of 2011.

 

Oxnard, CA – Gold Coast Transit’s total ridership for the month of January was up 3.0.

 

Painesville, OH – Laketran saw an increase of 3% in ridership in January.

 

San Antonio, TX – VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Express Bus service had an 18% increase in ridership in January.

 

San Diego, CA – Metropolitan Transit System saw a 2.8% increase in bus ridership and a 6% increase in trolley ridership for February.

 

Springfield, MO – City Utilities of Springfield, MO had a 9% increase for January.

 

Wilmington, DE - Delaware Transit Corporation had an increase of nearly 8% in January.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                            # # #

 

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is a nonprofit international association of more than 1,500 public and private member organizations, engaged in the areas of bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne passenger services, and high-speed rail. This includes: transit systems; planning, design, construction, and finance firms; product and service providers; academic institutions; transit associations and state departments of transportation. More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the United States and Canada are served by APTA member systems.

 

Good info. Thanks!

I can't believe I hear people saying that they are angry with people that complain about their commute, and they should move closer to work or vice versa.  Basically, you are saying we are auto and oil dependent, and we have to live with that.  Instead, why not doing something about it in this state and offer us a more convenient transportation option that would be cheaper, and less hectic for us.  Do you think I would rather drive my car then sit on a train?  I am a hard working person who will go to any expense to drive to work so that I can support my family.  Maybe your just lucky, and have never been there before, but it's not like everytime you need a job that pays what you need to make, with certain healthcare plans, there's one right around the corner.

I can't believe I hear people saying that they are angry with people that complain about their commute, and they should move closer to work or vice versa.  Basically, you are saying we are auto and oil dependent, and we have to live with that.  Instead, why not doing something about it in this state and offer us a more convenient transportation option that would be cheaper, and less hectic for us.  Do you think I would rather drive my car then sit on a train?  I am a hard working person who will go to any expense to drive to work so that I can support my family.  Maybe your just lucky, and have never been there before, but it's not like everytime you need a job that pays what you need to make, with certain healthcare plans, there's one right around the corner.

 

I think many of the people who were saying that to you would also fully support diversifying our transportation infrastructure portfolio, and would also not deny that moving is a hardship.  However, gas prices are a hardship, too, so the real question is which hardship is less.  I don't think people were leaning towards advising bailing on a job in this economy, either; what people were saying more regarded where people (not just you) choose to live, rather than where they find work:

 

Unfortunately jobs aren't as steady or as plentiful as they once were.  You're often lucky to have one.  And uprooting yourself to get closer to work isn't always feasible, especially if that involves unloading a house.  Homeownership is not such a great idea anymore.  Our living patterns need to get in line with our new economy, and that probably means a lot more people should be renting.

 

I agree with 327 here, which is one major reason I rent--that and the fact that it's significantly cheaper after I back out the costs of what HOA fees, property taxes, maintenance, trash, water, and sewer (all of which are subsumed inchoately within my current rent payment).  We have a cultural attachment to homeownership in this country, but I'm not completely sure that that attachment is serving us well now or will continue to serve us well over the next generation or two.  People may need to be more mobile than homeownership allows them to be.  The longest it can possibly take me to escape my commitment is about a year; some people have been trying fruitlessly to sell their homes (even at painful losses) for multiple years now.

I agree with what Gramarye is saying. If the culture shifts, it will be very interesting to see the implications of the inevitable consolidation of property ownership from the many to the few. The property management industry would balloon enormously, for example.

Starting to see more reports like these from around the country....this one from Nashville's RTA....

 

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 15, 2011

 

 

Area residents turning to public transportation as gasoline prices soar

Ridership up significantly on buses and train

 

NASHVILLE – As gasoline prices soar nationwide, area residents are turning increasingly more to public

transportation as their primary means of getting around.

 

In February, ridership on the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) bus routes increased 6.5 percent

compared to February a year ago.

 

The Regional Transportation Authority’s (RTA) services also have seen significant ridership increases.

Ridership on the Music City Star in January was up 19 percent compared to January 2010. RTA’s regional bus

routes experienced a ridership gain of 23 percent in January 2011 compared to ridership on the same routes in

January 2010.

 

Train ridership had increased significantly prior to the recent spike in gas prices. 2010 was a record year for

ridership on the Star with 210,196 passenger trips taken compared to 180,673 passenger trips in 2009, a 16

percent increase. On February 9, 2011, the Star also broke a single-day ridership record with 1,339 passenger

trips taken.

 

“With the recent rise in gas prices, more people are seeking other alternatives to driving their cars, and they

are quickly realizing how affordable and convenient public transit can be,” MTA and RTA Chief Executive

Officer Paul J. Ballard said.

 

Not only are the MTA and RTA experiencing ridership gains, but they also are saving thousands of dollars as a

result of a fuel-hedging program that locks in fuel prices at contract rates.

 

At present, the MTA and RTA are paying $1.88 per gallon at the current contract price through the end of June

and will pay $2.30 per gallon effective July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

 

Since the fuel-hedging program was first implemented in May 2009, MTA has saved more than $400,000,

while the RTA has saved nearly $50,000.

# # #

City's design, transit system can ease gas costs

By Larry Copeland, USA TODAYUpdated 12h 6m ago |

 

Some cities in the USA are better positioned to deal with rising gas prices than others because of their design and transit systems, according to a national non-profit group that works to build stronger cities.

 

A recent study finds that people drive less in compact cities that have extensive transportation systems.

The key factor: whether residents have to drive everywhere, or have other options.

 

That's according to CEOs for Cities, a Chicago-based network of civic, business, academic and philanthropic leaders seeking to build and sustain stronger cities for the future. Researchers analyzed federal government data on vehicle miles traveled in 51 metropolitan areas that have at least 1 million residents.

 

Read more at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-03-22-citygas22_ST_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Gas costs devour benefits from lower taxes

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 5:55 AM

 

(Source: USA TODAY)By The Associated Press

 

Americans are earning and spending more, but a lot of the extra money is going down their gas tanks. Gas prices have drained more than half the extra cash Americans are getting this year from a cut in Social Security taxes.

 

Unlike some other kinds of spending, paying more for gas doesn't help the economy much. Much of the money goes abroad, and the higher gas prices leave people with less money to buy appliances, computers, plane tickets and other things that can be postponed.

 

"When food and gasoline prices are rising, it causes people to hunker down," said Chris Christopher Jr., senior economist at IHS Global Insight.

Read more at: www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5016239/gas-costs-devour-benefits-from-lower-taxes]http://www.www.istockanalyst.com/business/news/5016239/gas-costs-devour-benefits-from-lower-taxes

$3.79 per gallon for regular this morning (Monday) at a UDF gas pump on West Broad in Columbus...and it's not just Columbus.

 

Local gas prices averaging nearly $3.79 a gallon

Staff Report

Updated 8:33 AM Monday, April 4, 2011

 

Gasoline prices are on the rise in the Miami Valley, with the average local retail price being nearly $3.79 a gallon, according to gasoline price watchdog www.DaytonGasPrices.com.

 

One week ago, the local retail gas prices were nearly $3.50 a gallon.

 

In addition, Ohio gas prices have risen nearly 20 cents in the last month and are up 92 cents from a year ago, when regular was averaging $2.75 in the state, according to the Associated Press.

 

The current national average retail gas price is nearly $3.65.

 

Read more at: http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/local-gas-prices-averaging-nearly-3-79-a-gallon-1126655.html

One of my friends from undergrad married an engineer at Goodyear.  She recently posted on her Facebook wall that her husband's employer's internal projections (related to demand for Goodyear products, etc.) are currently based on an assumption of $5+ gas for at least a brief duration, if not an extended one, this summer.

I see WTI crude is trading at $108 this morning and Brent crude at $119-120.

$3.79 at Chambers Rd. Kroger, too. Up $0.20 since Saturday.