High Gas Prices - Would You Switch to Transit

***hkskyline*** · September 11th, 2005, 08:09 PM

Gas Prices Propel Rise In Carpoolers, Metro Users
Steven Ginsberg
11 September 2005
The Washington Post

There are signs that many area commuters are leaving their cars in the garage and taking transit or are carpooling because of record-high gas prices, though most Washington motorists appear unwilling, or unable, to forgo driving alone.

The amount of traffic on most of the region's major commuter routes last week was about the same as the week after Labor Day last year -- traditionally one of the busiest times on the highways as the return of vacationers, students and Congress cause traffic to surge to its usual, congested level.

Traffic should have increased from a year ago because of all the new people and businesses that have flocked to the region. Transportation experts suggested that the fact traffic has not risen substantially is evidence that people have altered their routines.

The numbers of drivers on Interstate 66 in Virginia and Route 50 in Maryland were down slightly, while traffic on Interstate 270 and the Beltway in both states increased slightly.

The numbers of vehicles using the carpool lanes on I-395 increased a little and traffic in the interstate's regular lanes was virtually the same.

Lon Anderson, director of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic, said the leveling off in Virginia is especially surprising because the state "has certainly been growing. Loudoun is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, and Northern Virginia hasn't added any mass transit."

Many more commuters are riding Metro. Subway ridership has jumped by about 50,000 people a day over the same week last year -- nearly an 8 percent increase that well outpaces the system's normal 2 percent to 3 percent annual growth.

Metro officials are so concerned about increases in ridership caused by high gas prices that they cautioned riders last week to expect rush-hour trains to be even more crammed than they have been. Officials also said that many users probably would have to wait for a train or two to pass before being able to board. Officials asked riders to travel on the "shoulders" of peak periods, when there is more room.

Metro officials also said that parking at subway stations would be tighter than usual and that many major bus routes in the city would strain to absorb new riders.

Representatives for commuter rail lines in Virginia and Maryland said the ridership numbers have risen moderately since last year, which they attributed to normal growth plus some new riders trying to escape high gas prices.

One of the starkest changes since gas prices started increasing dramatically is the number of people looking for carpools, which increased by at least 30 percent, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

"To have a 30 percent jump is just extraordinary," said Ronald F. Kirby, transportation planning director of the council, which coordinates carpools and encourages people to work from home.

Kirby noted that the number of people using a cost-of-commuting calculator on the council's carpool Web site -- www.commuterconnections.com -- has risen by 40 percent.

"Over the last 25 years, we've never seen anything like this in terms of a rapid run-up in the price of gasoline," Kirby said. "It's caused a bump in interest in our services like we've never seen before."

John Harbison has thought plenty over the years about giving up the comfort and convenience of driving to work alone. He toyed with carpooling a few years back and then tried the bus for a little while, but found both options less than inviting.

"It's always been a personal-space issue," Harbison said. "I've always been a little reluctant."

Not anymore.

"I came in [Friday] morning and saw the Shell station was $3.39 and I said: 'Gee, I'm going to call Commuter Connections,' " he said. "I thought: Well, it's about time to start doing it."

Harbison said it costs $32 a week to fill up his Honda Civic and drive between Olney and the District -- more than twice what it used to cost. "I've got two kids in college and I'm looking for ways to save money," he said. "I think we all are."

Gas prices in the region are among the highest in the nation, averaging $3.20 a gallon Friday compared with the national average of $3.01. A month ago, gas in the area was $2.37 a gallon on average. A year ago, it was $1.85.

Despite all the changes, most commuters are driving by themselves and most area roads still have the usual backups and delays. AAA Mid-Atlantic's Anderson said that is partly because many commuters do not have other options.

"The fact is, a lot of people are hard-pressed, given how spread out we are here, to find any other way to get around other than the automobile," Anderson said. "The people out there pretty much have to be out there."

Some who are trying to cut their costs said they are not having any success. Lauren Greenwell said she has been unable to find a third person to share a carpool between Fair Lakes and the District. She switches off weeks with another driver and, with gas prices being what they are, they would like to add someone they only have to drive every third week.

Greenwell said that would cut the cost of filling her Honda Accord from $100 a month to about $65.

"A lot of people are not willing to drive into D.C.," she said. "They just want a ride." So she and her fellow carpooler drive on, trading off weeks.

"Gas prices are crazy," Greenwell said. "It hurts. It really hurts to fill up."

beta29 · September 11th, 2005, 08:33 PM

I´m already using transit, it´s a lot cheaper than using a car!

And here in Berlin you don´t need a car. We have a very good transportation network.

***hkskyline*** · September 12th, 2005, 06:22 AM

Soaring gas prices are a wake-up call that driving everywhere is an unsustainable lifestyle and we should plan our cities to be as transit-friendly as possible.

ch1le · September 12th, 2005, 10:33 AM

im using transit... but accidentally clicked yes i would

mopc · September 12th, 2005, 03:48 PM

Fortunately I live very close from where I work so I walk, I use my car less than once a week, I´ve only filled the tank some four times this year!

Frog · September 12th, 2005, 03:51 PM

I try use transit as much as possible or walk. but sometimes its not possible

VansTripp · September 12th, 2005, 04:43 PM

No because I'm from suburb of LA that has crappy metro bus and new BRT that is low speed. Just take deal with gas price but it's cheaper than LA basin.

Bitxofo · September 12th, 2005, 04:50 PM

I always use metro!!

I love metros, subways, trams and trains.

VansTripp · September 12th, 2005, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Soaring gas prices are a wake-up call that driving everywhere is an unsustainable lifestyle and we should plan our cities to be as transit-friendly as possible.

You just don't know what people that from suburb like San Fernando Valley, San Garbial Valley, South Bay, Westside and rest of all coastal cities do with lousy public transportation and only metro bus execpt for some part of SFV, SGV and South Bay already have LRT and BRT, it's not service for all area that what they want go. They will probably complain or on strike with gas price instead of switch to ride on metro bus. Public Transportation in LA is much lousy and full of shit than NYC and Chicago.

FM 2258 · September 12th, 2005, 05:34 PM

I live in a suburb of Austin, TX and we have no alternative to driving or walking. Since my work is about 15 miles away, walking is way out of the question. If I biked to work it's still too fucking hot to do so because I'll be sweating for hours, stinking up my office and will have to shower and change when I get to work. So I'll be driving to work until we get something else. Plus everything is too spralwed out right now that one or two light rail lines would be insufficient to eliminate everyone using cars.

I do wish I could use a light rail or subway like other cities in Europe do but we just don't have an option.

tommygunn · September 12th, 2005, 06:27 PM

the price of petrol in the uk is a disgarce just been to fill my car up and their is queing out of the forecourt due to expected blockade of oil refinnerys due to high prices.Over sixty pence on every gallon of our fuel is tax its a disgrace .

Englishman · September 12th, 2005, 08:10 PM

Our petrol costs almost 3 times that of America.

I've no idea how Americans can complain!

drwho · September 13th, 2005, 01:59 AM

I always use the bus or take the bike to the shop or town.

gas costs 1.59USD/Litre 0.87GBP/Litre in my town.

Bitxofo · September 13th, 2005, 06:18 PM

1,20€/litre in Barcelona, Spain!!

FM 2258 · September 13th, 2005, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Englishman

Our petrol costs almost 3 times that of America.

I've no idea how Americans can complain!

Because we probably have to drive much more than you do. Most of the U.S. either has to drive or fly in order to get some where in a timely fashion. In my town there is no option for hopping on a train to take us somewhere, hell there's not even a bus system here.

If I wanted to do my shopping and run errands on a bicycle it would probably take all day. To visit friends and family it would take ages on a bicycle.

My best friend lives in Bournemouth after living in Houston and doesn't have a car now. He saves alot of money on public transportation. Back in Houston he needed a car, had to drive 45 minutes thrugh traffic to work and the town is so spread out it takes about an hour to get to another place in town. In Houston he complained about gas prices, now he obviously doesn't. Yes we complain about gas prices because driving is pretty much our only mode of transportation. It used to cost me about $30 for round trip from Austin to Houston, now it's pretty much tripled to over $90 round trip.

DiggerD21 · September 13th, 2005, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM 2258

Because we probably have to drive much more than you do. Most of the U.S. either has to drive or fly in order to get some where in a timely fashion. In my town there is no option for hopping on a train to take us somewhere, hell there's not even a bus system here.

I guess most people in Germany won't use public transport if they have a car, even if the PT network is very good, because the ticket prices could consume the saved money by not driving the car you own. Also it can be very annoying as a car driver to find parking space in the cities.

FM 2258 · September 13th, 2005, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiggerD21

I guess most people in Germany won't use public transport if they have a car, even if the PT network is very good, because the ticket prices could consume the saved money by not driving the car you own. Also it can be very annoying as a car driver to find parking space in the cities.

Finding parking in cities is annoying. That's why I'd love to see a local high speed rail/light rail system in our cities....especially mine. I'd love to do downtown, party my ass off and not worry about having to drive home.

I keep joking to my friends that they should take me to the airport so I could catch a flight home in the suburbs.

The perfect system for U.S. cities in my opinion would be dozens of light rail lines through out the city connecting downtown and making loops around the city with a high speed rail link from points in the downtown and suburbs to the airport. Plus each station should have sufficient parking for people to drive there. Our cities are to spread out for us to have enough rail lines to serve everyone in walking distance.

TexasBoi · September 14th, 2005, 06:20 AM

Well I just moved to the Northern Virginia area right by the blue line. You best believe I ride that everyday

.

VansTripp · September 14th, 2005, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM 2258

Finding parking in cities is annoying. That's why I'd love to see a local high speed rail/light rail system in our cities....especially mine. I'd love to do downtown, party my ass off and not worry about having to drive home.

I keep joking to my friends that they should take me to the airport so I could catch a flight home in the suburbs.

The perfect system for U.S. cities in my opinion would be dozens of light rail lines through out the city connecting downtown and making loops around the city with a high speed rail link from points in the downtown and suburbs to the airport. Plus each station should have sufficient parking for people to drive there. Our cities are to spread out for us to have enough rail lines to serve everyone in walking distance.

Well, If you find any parking lot in LA is pretty easier but it's little hard to find parking deck so it can find mostly in downtown and somewhere in LA. I have no hard time to find parking for my car.

PotatoGuy · September 14th, 2005, 06:45 AM

i would, if it was possible, we need a better transit system here, we rovolve on freeways

View Poll Results: What do you think?
Yes, I will switch to public transit.	4	11.76%
No, I will still drive and pay the high cost of gas.	4	11.76%
I am already using transit.	26	76.47%
Voters: 34. You may not vote on this poll

September 11th, 2005, 08:09 PM	#1
*hkskyline* Hong Kong Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 71,181 Likes (Received): 961	High Gas Prices - Would You Switch to Transit Gas Prices Propel Rise In Carpoolers, Metro Users Steven Ginsberg 11 September 2005 The Washington Post There are signs that many area commuters are leaving their cars in the garage and taking transit or are carpooling because of record-high gas prices, though most Washington motorists appear unwilling, or unable, to forgo driving alone. The amount of traffic on most of the region's major commuter routes last week was about the same as the week after Labor Day last year -- traditionally one of the busiest times on the highways as the return of vacationers, students and Congress cause traffic to surge to its usual, congested level. Traffic should have increased from a year ago because of all the new people and businesses that have flocked to the region. Transportation experts suggested that the fact traffic has not risen substantially is evidence that people have altered their routines. The numbers of drivers on Interstate 66 in Virginia and Route 50 in Maryland were down slightly, while traffic on Interstate 270 and the Beltway in both states increased slightly. The numbers of vehicles using the carpool lanes on I-395 increased a little and traffic in the interstate's regular lanes was virtually the same. Lon Anderson, director of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic, said the leveling off in Virginia is especially surprising because the state "has certainly been growing. Loudoun is one of the fastest-growing counties in the country, and Northern Virginia hasn't added any mass transit." Many more commuters are riding Metro. Subway ridership has jumped by about 50,000 people a day over the same week last year -- nearly an 8 percent increase that well outpaces the system's normal 2 percent to 3 percent annual growth. Metro officials are so concerned about increases in ridership caused by high gas prices that they cautioned riders last week to expect rush-hour trains to be even more crammed than they have been. Officials also said that many users probably would have to wait for a train or two to pass before being able to board. Officials asked riders to travel on the "shoulders" of peak periods, when there is more room. Metro officials also said that parking at subway stations would be tighter than usual and that many major bus routes in the city would strain to absorb new riders. Representatives for commuter rail lines in Virginia and Maryland said the ridership numbers have risen moderately since last year, which they attributed to normal growth plus some new riders trying to escape high gas prices. One of the starkest changes since gas prices started increasing dramatically is the number of people looking for carpools, which increased by at least 30 percent, according to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. "To have a 30 percent jump is just extraordinary," said Ronald F. Kirby, transportation planning director of the council, which coordinates carpools and encourages people to work from home. Kirby noted that the number of people using a cost-of-commuting calculator on the council's carpool Web site -- www.commuterconnections.com -- has risen by 40 percent. "Over the last 25 years, we've never seen anything like this in terms of a rapid run-up in the price of gasoline," Kirby said. "It's caused a bump in interest in our services like we've never seen before." John Harbison has thought plenty over the years about giving up the comfort and convenience of driving to work alone. He toyed with carpooling a few years back and then tried the bus for a little while, but found both options less than inviting. "It's always been a personal-space issue," Harbison said. "I've always been a little reluctant." Not anymore. "I came in [Friday] morning and saw the Shell station was $3.39 and I said: 'Gee, I'm going to call Commuter Connections,' " he said. "I thought: Well, it's about time to start doing it." Harbison said it costs $32 a week to fill up his Honda Civic and drive between Olney and the District -- more than twice what it used to cost. "I've got two kids in college and I'm looking for ways to save money," he said. "I think we all are." Gas prices in the region are among the highest in the nation, averaging $3.20 a gallon Friday compared with the national average of $3.01. A month ago, gas in the area was $2.37 a gallon on average. A year ago, it was $1.85. Despite all the changes, most commuters are driving by themselves and most area roads still have the usual backups and delays. AAA Mid-Atlantic's Anderson said that is partly because many commuters do not have other options. "The fact is, a lot of people are hard-pressed, given how spread out we are here, to find any other way to get around other than the automobile," Anderson said. "The people out there pretty much have to be out there." Some who are trying to cut their costs said they are not having any success. Lauren Greenwell said she has been unable to find a third person to share a carpool between Fair Lakes and the District. She switches off weeks with another driver and, with gas prices being what they are, they would like to add someone they only have to drive every third week. Greenwell said that would cut the cost of filling her Honda Accord from $100 a month to about $65. "A lot of people are not willing to drive into D.C.," she said. "They just want a ride." So she and her fellow carpooler drive on, trading off weeks. "Gas prices are crazy," Greenwell said. "It hurts. It really hurts to fill up." __________________ Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Click Here for the Hong Kong Galleries World Photo Gallery - \| New York \| London \| Egypt \| Dubai \| Shanghai \| Xian \| Tokyo \| Kyoto \| Prague Beijing, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Iceland, Sydney, Rocky Mountains, Toronto, and much more!

September 12th, 2005, 06:22 AM	#3
*hkskyline* Hong Kong Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 71,181 Likes (Received): 961	Soaring gas prices are a wake-up call that driving everywhere is an unsustainable lifestyle and we should plan our cities to be as transit-friendly as possible. __________________ Hong Kong Photo Gallery - Click Here for the Hong Kong Galleries World Photo Gallery - \| New York \| London \| Egypt \| Dubai \| Shanghai \| Xian \| Tokyo \| Kyoto \| Prague Beijing, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Iceland, Sydney, Rocky Mountains, Toronto, and much more!

September 12th, 2005, 10:33 AM	#4
ch1le always on Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: tallinn/Tartu Posts: 4,531 Likes (Received): 1	im using transit... but accidentally clicked yes i would __________________ not ready yet

September 12th, 2005, 08:10 PM	#12
Englishman Urge Desire Rest Join Date: May 2003 Location: London Posts: 2,381 Likes (Received): 4	Our petrol costs almost 3 times that of America. I've no idea how Americans can complain! __________________ GB Olympic Bid Presentation

September 11th, 2005, 08:33 PM	#2
beta29 Made in Estonia Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hamburg/Berlin/Tallinn Posts: 1,034 Likes (Received): 35	I´m already using transit, it´s a lot cheaper than using a car! And here in Berlin you don´t need a car. We have a very good transportation network.

September 12th, 2005, 03:48 PM	#5
mopc USP Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Santos Sao Paulo Posts: 12,015 Likes (Received): 962	Fortunately I live very close from where I work so I walk, I use my car less than once a week, I´ve only filled the tank some four times this year!

September 12th, 2005, 03:51 PM	#6
Frog SSC addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 464 Likes (Received): 0	I try use transit as much as possible or walk. but sometimes its not possible

September 12th, 2005, 04:43 PM	#7
VansTripp BANNED Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: LA/Trussville Posts: 2,406 Likes (Received): 0	No because I'm from suburb of LA that has crappy metro bus and new BRT that is low speed. Just take deal with gas price but it's cheaper than LA basin.

September 12th, 2005, 04:50 PM	#8
Bitxofo BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alderaan BCN BKK ATH PAR LON SYD SFO CPT TYO SCL CHC BUE SCG SVQ AGP BDN Posts: 34,122 Likes (Received): 0	I always use metro!! I love metros, subways, trams and trains.

September 12th, 2005, 05:34 PM	#10
FM 2258 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Posts: 4,513 Likes (Received): 33	I live in a suburb of Austin, TX and we have no alternative to driving or walking. Since my work is about 15 miles away, walking is way out of the question. If I biked to work it's still too fucking hot to do so because I'll be sweating for hours, stinking up my office and will have to shower and change when I get to work. So I'll be driving to work until we get something else. Plus everything is too spralwed out right now that one or two light rail lines would be insufficient to eliminate everyone using cars. I do wish I could use a light rail or subway like other cities in Europe do but we just don't have an option.

September 12th, 2005, 06:27 PM	#11
tommygunn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,673 Likes (Received): 0	the price of petrol in the uk is a disgarce just been to fill my car up and their is queing out of the forecourt due to expected blockade of oil refinnerys due to high prices.Over sixty pence on every gallon of our fuel is tax its a disgrace .

September 13th, 2005, 01:59 AM	#13
drwho slacker oui! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,175 Likes (Received): 1	I always use the bus or take the bike to the shop or town. gas costs 1.59USD/Litre 0.87GBP/Litre in my town. Last edited by drwho; September 13th, 2005 at 02:08 AM.

September 13th, 2005, 06:18 PM	#14
Bitxofo BANNED Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alderaan BCN BKK ATH PAR LON SYD SFO CPT TYO SCL CHC BUE SCG SVQ AGP BDN Posts: 34,122 Likes (Received): 0	1,20€/litre in Barcelona, Spain!!

September 14th, 2005, 06:20 AM	#18
TexasBoi Texas-NoVA Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NoVA Posts: 2,251 Likes (Received): 0	Well I just moved to the Northern Virginia area right by the blue line. You best believe I ride that everyday .

September 14th, 2005, 06:45 AM	#20
PotatoGuy Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Madrid, Sp - OC, CA Posts: 1,271 Likes (Received): 0	i would, if it was possible, we need a better transit system here, we rovolve on freeways __________________ "Ignorance is Bliss"

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