Fuel hikes won’t spur public transit

People’s time is too precious to give up cars

With world crude oil prices hovering near $100 per barrel and cost at the gas pump exceeding $3 per gallon, all the ingredients would seem to be in place for dramatic changes in our daily commuting patterns, with millions of Americans shifting from private cars to public transit.

That’s the way markets are supposed to work: Higher prices encourage consumers to seek less-costly alternatives.


In fact, even before oil prices reached their current record levels, many were suggesting that the government push consumer costs higher by increasing gas taxes. The assumption is that higher prices would result in less gas being used.

However, the American people