January 17, 2012

Commuter Dispatch

Transit up, driving down

For the first time since October of 2008, the nation has seen six consecutive monthly decreases in mileage driven, according to a USA TODAY analysis of data from the Federal Highway Administration. During roughly the same period, ridership on public buses and trains increased nationwide 2% each month to 7.76 billion rides, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

The transit increase is part of a trend in ridership that began in the mid-1990s and continues despite public transit agencies cutting service and increasing fares due to funding decreases, according to Bradley Lane, a professor at the University of Texas at El Paso. Regions hit hard by the recession have also seen increases. In the third quarter of 2011, Valley Metro Rail, the line connecting Phoenix, Mesa and Tempe, enjoyed an 8% increase to 3.3 million rides.

TriMet is part of the trend of ridership growth. Last month rush hour trips on MAX light rail were up 9.5% and bus trips were up 6.8% over the same month one year ago. TriMet, among other transit agencies, has focused on attracting riders who have other travel options by offering technology upgrades, such as apps that allow them to know when a bus or train will reach their stop.

It appears that the new transit riders are coming from the ranks of former drivers and the price of gasoline may be a factor. In 2008, a gallon of self-serve, regular unleaded gasoline hit a record $4.11. By December 31, 2008, however, it had decreased to $1.62 a gallon. In 2011, there was less flux in gas prices. Still, the price per gallon was above $3.00 all year with the annual average at $3.53. "The autumn of 2011 saw the poorest gasoline demand since 2000," says Tom Kloza, chief analyst at the Oil Price Information Service, who added, "There's a little bit of driving fatigue."

Read the USA TODAY news articles:
"Ridership up on mass transit shows more people working"
"Economy, gas prices make Americans drive less"

About Drive Less/Save More and Metro
Driving less is good for your wallet, your health and the health of the planet. Instead of driving, try biking, walking, carpooling or taking transit for short trips to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep the air clean. Metro, Drive Less/Save More and other transportation partners across the region work to increase the use of travel options to ease congestion and reduce pollution. The goal is to raise public awareness among employers as well as individuals about the benefits of driving less. To learn how you and your employees can drive less, visit www.oregonmetro.gov and www.drivelesssavemore.com.

Contact info
Mary Ann Aschenbrenner
Metro Regional Travel Options
600 NE Grand Ave.
Portland, OR 97203
503-813-7566
maryann.aschenbrenner@oregonmetro.gov