Traffic behavior changed with high gas prices
In response to high gas prices, people reduce the usage of private cars, rely more on public transit, or change their work schedules.
Washington's Seattle Times (7/5, Pugh) noted that "Evidence is mounting of a wholesale change in the way Americans commute," as transportation experts "predict a more lasting impact on what we drive, how we drive, and investment in mass transit."
The Chicago Tribune (7/4, Burns) reported that "Analysts projecting today's high fuel costs into the future foresee a startling decline in cars on the road," a decline that would put "a serious dent in America's bedrock car culture."
According to the Los Angeles Times (7/5, Reyes), high gas prices have created a "surge in Metrolink ridership" that is crowding the system and its parking lots. Transit passenger Robbie Frandsen wrote in the report that "[n]early every dialogue on board" the Metrolink system soon turns to “The Conversation: how our foreign oil addiction has forced us out of our cars." Meanwhile, Orange County is adding capacity requirements for parking lots planned for its train stations. "Until recently, 300 parking spaces were required at newly built stations," but a "new standard we're now demanding is 500 spaces," according to a transportation authority official.
Likewise, columnist Derrick Z. Jackson wrote in the Boston Globe(7/5) that subway use was up "nearly nine percent" in Boston in the first quarter of this year, while subway use and "commuter rail transit" in New York City were also up. Use of the Amtrak Acela train between Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., "grew 20 percent last year" as well. The Northeast Corridor is not alone in its clamoring for public transit. Jackson noted that light rail demand "is way up in cities like Baltimore, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and San Francisco."
In California's Union-Tribune (7/5, Sidener), report covered employer-led initiatives for the “gas-price-pain relief." Options include "van pooling" and "pretax payroll deductions to buy public transportation passes," or new schedules of “compressed workweek,” which is typically four 10-hour days together with three-day weekends.
(Courtesy of ICMA News for the News sources)
Comments
Are there answers to the raising prices of gas around the world?
In rejoinder concerning sky rocketing gas prices that are sweeping the entire globe there has been a discovery of possible answers in the form of H2O.
Recently studies have concluded the latest water for gas devices actually can help. Although not a final answer these devices appear to be helping ease the expense at the pump.
The public transport industry has taken a huge hit and as suspected may not be able to cope with this gas crisis as more and more commuters utilise the public transport system. Minister of transport in Australia said in an interview he believes "the worst is yet to come". Where does that leave the rest of us?
Fortunately there have been many fuel and gas saving inventions over the past couple of years but do they really work? Apparently some do according to the scientific proof. Many still remain sceptical as claims all over the internet promise unrealistic assurance that they have solved the fuel challenge and their device can lower gas costs. Well there is always some new invention that truly works even though many will always remain sceptical.
One thing is for sure...if the situation gets much worse someone will have to invest something to help the average commuter.
Some of the gas saving tips that have been reported to help are car pooling, checking your air filter and making sure it's clean to better enhance performance, using correct tyre pressure and some employers claim they've convinced their boss to allow them to work from home at least once a week.
I guess the next trip to the park on the weekend with the kids will be mostly spent on the walk there and back.
Posted by: Mark Briody | July 9, 2008 1:17 AM
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Posted by: Shawn Thomas From Free Gas Only | July 10, 2008 9:45 PM