Gas Prices Cause High Demand for Transit

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.

1 minute read

May 31, 2008, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"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."

Thursday, May 29, 2008 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit