The Bright Side Of Rising Gas Prices

<p>Transit officials in Minneapolis are happy about the rise in gas prices -- a trend that has caused an increase in ridership. The city's cyclists and environmentalists are also finding benefits.</p>

May 20, 2007, 9am PDT | Nate Berg

"Some welcome the rising cost of fill-ups -- not just bicycle dealers, but also environmentalists seeking to reduce air pollution and transit advocates who see hordes of new passengers."

"'We are delighted that gas prices are going up,' said Robert Gibbons, director of customer services for Metro Transit in Minneapolis."

"Those who run transit systems take a kind of pleasure in what gas stations are charging these days."

"Metro Transit's express bus ridership is up 5.4 percent so far this year. Minnesota Valley Transit, serving the southern suburbs, has had an increase this year of 8 percent."

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Bicyclists, transit officials and environmentalists are happy about high gas prices

Published on Thursday, May 17, 2007 in Minneapolis Star-Tribune