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Economy

Skyrocketing Gas Prices Turn Travelers To Transit

Skyrocketing Gas Prices Turn Travelers To Transit
Skyrocketing gas prices are pushing more people to park their cars and take the trolley. Transportation officials say they're ready to welcome more riders.

San Diego’s trolleys, trains and buses are bracing for more people. That’s because the last time gas prices spiked so did ridership.

In 2008, when gas prices passed $4.50 a gallon, San Diego's public transportation gained 4.4 million riders, according to Rob Schupp with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Service.

"I think that’s what we can expect if gas prices continue to stay above $4 per gallon,” said Schupp.

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He said routes will be closely monitored for over-capacity.

“We do have extra resources that we can put out there if we have one line or one route or another that is experiencing some overcrowding," he said.

Schupp said gas prices won't have a big impact on MTS costs because most of their fleet is run on compressed naturalized gas, and the trolley is electric.