Fuel Prices a Pain for Transit Too

One would think high fuel prices could only be a benefit to transit providers with the mass exodus from the single occupancy vehicle (SOV) to public transit, but unfortunately for transit companies, especially smaller providers, fuel prices are trouble for them as well. Diesel fuel is averaging approximately $4.80 on a national scale and providers like Brattleboro Vermont's BeeLine are feeling the pressure. Rising fuel prices are good news in that ridership is increasing, but even ridership increases mean figuring out how to accommodate to riders on now crowded buses, while still having to face the burden of high fuel costs. The BeeLine for one will most likely be raising its rider fee from 75 cents to 1 dollar, but even with increased ridership and higher fees other options may need to be explored. One of these options may be the elimination of the stop-on-demand service. Nevertheless, Rebecca Gagnon, the BeeLine's coordinator says service cuts would be their last resort to reduce costs. [Source: Reformer]