Stung at the Pumps, More Hop on a Bus

D.C.’s Outlying Transit Systems Rush to Add Capacity; Metro Worried

Transit systems that ferry commuters into Washington from outlying regions are experiencing significant ridership increases as some gas prices pass $4 a gallon, and Metro officials caution that trains could be overwhelmed if prices go even higher.

Officials are looking for ways to buy or lease more buses, expand parking, encourage employers to stagger work schedules and persuade current riders to avoid the peak of the morning rush period.

In Loudoun County, ridership on county-run commuter buses jumped 23 percent in April from April 2007. Officials scrambled to put additional buses into service, two months ahead of schedule.

In Maryland, ridership on the 15 commuter bus routes into Washington increased 15 percent in April, double the rate of increase from last fall, state transportation officials said. On Wednesday, state officials approved $3.3 million to expand bus service on nine of those routes.

Metro, which at 1.2 million subway and bus trips on an average weekday is the area’s largest transit provider, is working on a contingency plan to help itself — and the region — prepare for a huge shift to public transit should gas prices hit $5 a gallon. Despite fare and fee increases in January, Metro’s average weekday ridership in April — 771,811 — was slightly more than 4 percent above that in April 2007.

Washington Post