Gas Prices Affect CARTA Buses

Gas prices are back below 2 dollars for the first time in a while but that means the increase in ridership CARTA has seen is on the way down.

Doris Morgan says she's been riding the bus for the past 40 years and she's not going anywhere.

" It's great. They've got real good bus services. One of the best really.On of the best. Sure is," said Morgan.

Although Doris is not alone...many who made the switch to take the bus when gas prices were through the roof...seem to be going back . That's what Carta leaders are afraid of.

"Our rider ship has gone up annually close to 400 thousand in the last 3 years so it's been significant to us," said CARTA Director Tom Dugan

Gas prices are down so we wanted to find out if it's any different riding the bus now.

"There's probably more that have gone back to their cars because of the prices being lower now," said Delores Hogancamp.

The price decline is taking some of the pressure off of CARTA...leaders say they paid $1.77 for a gallon of diesel this week. This summer they were paying more than $4 s a gallon and were forced to raise bus and parking fares. So with the drop they've actually made a profit this month of about $200,000 but Director Tom Dugan says he's not sure how long it will last.

" I don't trust fuel prices anymore. I don't think I ever will. I'm not sure anybody will and I don't want to reduce them and then turn around 3 months later and increase them," said Dugan.

CARTA has wireless internet on some buses and crews are placing electronic signs with bus statuses around the area...all in hopes of keeping riders on the bus and off them roads.