SEATTLE - A new survey shows a nearly 28 percent increase in commuter rail ridership in Seattle in the first three months of 2008.

AP

A Sounder commuter rail line train sits at the Everett, Wash., station .

The survey by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) said Seattle's Sound Transit had the highest increase in commuter rail ridership, at 27.9 percent, and the fourth-highest increase in bus ridership, at 6.2 percent, over the same time period last year.

"Sounder commuter rail was No. 1 nationally for first quarter increases for a commuter rail system. Break it down by month, and Sounder does even better - 29 for March and just over 30 percent for April," said Linda Robson of Sound Transit.

The APTA says Americans took 2.6 billion trips on public transportation in the first three months of 2008, nearly 85 million more trips than last year.

“There’s no doubt that the high gas prices are motivating people to change their travel behavior,” said APTA president William W. Millar. “More and more people have decided that taking public transportation is the quickest way to beat the high gas prices.”

In the No. 2 spot for rail ridership was Harrisburg, PA at 17 percent, followed by Oakland, CA (15.8 percent); Stockton, CA (13.9 percent); Pompano Beach, FL (12.9 percent); and Philadelphia (10.4 percent).

The top five for bus ridership are: San Antonio (10.6 percent); Denver (9.4 percent); San Diego (6.8 percent); Minneapolis (6.7 percent); Seattle (6.2 percent), and Phoenix (5.4 percent).

Sound Transit is continuing its expansion in Seattle. Last week, 14 miles of rail track were completed between Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. This week, regular weekday rail service begins between Mukilteo and Seattle.

Robson said Sound Transit is in the midst of getting public feedback on how best to expand Sounder, Link light rail, and express bus service.

"It is critical that we hear from the public about which corridors and services are the priority and whether or not we should go to the ballot this November or wait," she said.

An online questionnaire is posted on the Sound Transit Web site at www.soundtransit.org