Soaring fuel costs boost ridership in Canada

[marmar]

via MassTransitMag:



Soaring fuel costs boost ridership in Canada


By Sun Media
24 Hours


CANADA - The pain in the pocket book at the gas pumps is translating into a greater demand for public transit as motorists park their vehicles in search of cost savings.

Canadian municipal public transit systems, however, are already at -- or over -- capacity and are unlikely to meet the increasing demand without federal investment, says a new report released yesterday.

The survey, conducted for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Canadian Urban Transit Association, found that more than 40% of respondents would seriously consider taking public transit if gas prices continue to rise, yet long wait times and a lack of buses and trains were acting as a deterrent.

The groups responsible for the survey said the federal government must invest more of the federal gas tax into improving public transit, while at the same time establishing a long-term national transit strategy. The FCM said that Canada's transit systems require more than $40 billion over the next five years. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.masstransitmag.com/web/online/Top-Transit-News/Soaring-fuel-costs-boost-ridership-in-Canada/3$6872