Jun 3, 2008 12:55 pm US/Eastern
T Ridership Rising With Gas Prices
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
With gas prices hitting $4 a gallon across Massachusetts, the MBTA says ridership continues to rise as well.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is reporting a 6.1 percent jump in ridership in the first four months of this year compared with the same period in 2007.
MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas said fare revenue collected in April was $4.4 million more than reported in April 2007. That's an increase of just over 13-percent.
The biggest ridership increases were on the bus and subway system, but commuter rail and ferries also saw an increase.
To keep up with the demand, more trains are being added to the Blue Line and 155 more buses are now on the road.
According to the latest AAA survey, unleaded, self-serve gasoline is now averaging $3.98 a gallon in Massachusetts. Some stations are charging as much as $4.19.
Grabauskas also says the MBTA will accommodate basketball fans by holding the last commuter rail trains from North Station until 15 minutes after the end of each Celtics home game in the NBA Finals. Subway trolleys and buses will run no matter how late the games go.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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