Masstransit gains new appreciation

Editorial

05/08/2008- The Republican

Sooner or later the high prices at the gas pump were bound to drive folks to the bus stop.

It looks like that time is now in Western Massachusetts. Ridership on Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses increased by 120,000 between January and March - a 2 percent jump over the same period last year.

And with gas prices soaring over $3.50 a gallon, PVTA spokeswoman Jill E. Holliday said April's ridership figures, which will be available next week, will tell the same tale. Motorists are fed up with rising gas prices and many commuters just can't afford it any more. So they're leaving their SUVs in the driveway and turning to a less glamorous, but less expensive, mode of transportation. 
 
Mass transit is becoming a mass trend in Massachusetts. In Boston ridership on the MBTA, which provides bus, train and subway service, grew by almost 10 percent during the first three months of 2008, putting the T on the track to smashing its previous record of 345.1 million rides in 2001.

Commuters across the state are saving money by riding the bus.

The good news is that mass transit companies are raking in more revenues as a result of the increased ridership. But there's some bad news too. The cost of fueling PVTA's 350-vehicle fleet is taking its tolls on the Springfield-based agency. Fuel represents 11 percent of the agency's $35 million budget. The PVTA is now paying $3.30 a gallon for diesel fuel, compared with $1.77 last year.

"It's a double-edged sword for us," said PVTA Administrator Mary L. MacInnes, adding that the agency may have to consider, among other options, possible fare hikes.

So here's the rub. If fares go up too much, mass transit ridership will go down.

Encouraging folks to use public transportation whenever possible - gas crisis, or no gas crisis - is a laudable goal in the nation and in the commonwealth.

State funding for the PVTA must keep pace with the demand for its services.