A 2.3% rise in public transportation ridership may not seem like much, but it is significant because most people can’t easily change their behavior when gasoline prices rise. More expensive gas at the pump is probably responsible for some of the increase in mass transit ridership. More riders can create a virtuous circle. Fuller buses generate more revenue, which can lead to better service or lower fares. Admittedly, too many more riders could create overcrowding at rush hours. However, in most American cities greater mass transit usage is a win-win.
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