As Cincinnati, Ohio Gas Prices Rise Metro Ridership Increases

Gas prices are rising. It costs more to drive every week, but that may help bring automobile drivers to the Green side. A recent study by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) predicts that when regular gas prices reach $4 a gallon, it will mean an additional 670 million nationwide public transportation trips per year. At $5 per gallon, ridership should increase by 1.5 billion trips nationally. $6 per gallon prices could mean 2.7 billion additional public transportation trips per year. The need for reliable public transportation is growing. APTA sees the current rise in gas prices as a "wake up call" that should draw attention to the need.

"A Wake Up Call"

The Greater Cincinnati area is already seeing confirmation of APTA's predictions. Cincinnati Metro's public transportation ridership increased by 1% in January 2011 and by 5% in February. Regional transportation operations have seen increases as well. BCRTA in Butler County, Ohio had a ridership increase of over 30%. CTC in Clermont County, Ohio had a 15.5% increase. TANK in Northern Kentucky had a10% ridership increase. Cities across the country have had similar results:

Durham, NC - DATA - ridership up 14.8%

Oakland, CA - CCJPA - ridership up 11% January 2011, up 14% February 2011

Tampa, FL - HART - 18% increase in January 2011/19% increase in February

Muncie, IN - MITS ridership increased by 8.1% in January 2011.

Wenatchee, WA - Link Transit's January ridership increased by 20.8%. The February increase was 12.4%.

See the APTA March 14, 2011 press release for the complete list of the public transportation organizations surveyed.

Fewer Cars Mean Fewer Greenhouse Gases

You may already know the connection of autos to climate change, but it bears repeating. An EPA "Auto Emissions Overview" calls driving a personal car "... probably a typical citizen's most "polluting" daily activity." Automobiles generate pollution in two ways. Auto combustion burns fuel, releasing hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxides and carbon monoxides into the air. Hydrocarbons also enter the atmosphere due to fuel evaporation. When drivers park their cars and take public transportation, it eliminates a key source of the greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change. Increased use of public transportation benefits the environment whether intentional or not.

Cincinnati Metro Programs Encourage Ridership

Cincinnati Metro has a number of programs to encourage the increased use of public transportation. They offer commuter traffic alerts, the U. C. Metro Program, Park n Ride and the Riverfront parking shuttle. "Smart Commuter" Pre-Tax Transit Passes give commuters an estimated 25 to 30% savings. When a commuter enrolls in "Guaranteed Ride Home" Metro will reimburse them for emergency transportation. "Kids Ride Safe" provides a card for children to carry when riding alone. It provides emergency parent/guardian, school and other information for bus drivers dealing with lost or confused children. The "Commuter Savings Calculator" helps commuters compare auto expenses versus public transportation expenses to make their commuting choice easier.

Meeting the Demand for Public Transportation

APTA's press release expressed support for the Obama Administration's "transportation authorization blueprint and proposal." It will increase the public transit investment by 128 percent over 6 years. The funding should help reach the 46 % of Americans with no access to public transportation.

Source:

Metro News Email Release 3.30.2011

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

EPA Automobile Emissions: An Overview: http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/05-autos.pdf