Rising gas prices have caused a big increase in transit ridership in Loudoun County, Virginia, where officials are looking to expand their bus fleet and capacity to handle the jump in demand.
"Loudoun officials are working on a long-term plan to enhance public transit services in the county, a project that has taken on new importance as rising gas costs have caused a spike in bus ridership."
"Ridership on county-owned commuter buses was 23 percent higher from January through April than during the same four-month period in 2007, according to the Loudoun County Office of Transit and Commuter Services. The agency operates 90 bus routes that take commuters from Loudoun to the District, Rosslyn, the Pentagon and the West Falls Church Metro station."
"More than 72,000 people rode county buses in April, making it the busiest month in the system's history."
"To keep up with demand, the county added two buses -- at a cost of $485,000 each -- to its 35-bus fleet this month, and transit officials expect to get state funding in July to purchase three buses, Gourley said. Those buses will join the fleet by March. She said the county also is considering leasing additional buses."
FULL STORY: Public Transit Feels the Pinch of Gas Prices

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie