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As Seattle Transit Ridership Increases, Officials Look To Expand

Posted by: Nate Berg

27 April 2007 - 1:00pm

Rising gas prices have caused a noticeable increase in public transit ridership in Seattle. The rising demand has fueled transit officials to push for service expansion.

"Many are similarly changing their daily commutes. More people are riding buses as gas prices escalate; the higher they get, the more commuters opt for public transit. But parking costs, commuting distance and available jobs also are factors in increased transit ridership."

"Weekday boardings of Sound Transit buses and trains and King County Metro buses, on average, rose about 7 percent during the first quarter of this year, compared with the first three months of last year. Estimated boardings on buses run by Pierce Transit went up more than 2 percent; Community Transit's ridership increased more than 1 percent."

"And public transit is pushing for more resources to meet demand. A $23 billion package approved Thursday by the Sound Transit Board will be on the ballot in November, and if passed could mean more express buses, nearly 50 new miles of light rail and improved commuter rail facilities."

Full Story: Your bus Rx: Take 2 daily
Source: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 26, 2007
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