Video: Seattle setting records for commuter ridership

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SEATTLE - Lifestyles are rapidly changing as high gas prices launch an exodus from cars to public transit.

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

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.

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 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.”

Thirteen states report average gas prices tipping over $4 per gallon, about 25 percent higher than last year, according to travel auto group AAA, sparking an exodus from cars.

Travel on light rails, such as streetcars and trolleys, showed the highest ridership increase of 10.3% nationwide. King County's van pool and rideshare programs are expected to set new records this year again, already up 14 percent for Metro transit.

Snohomish County Community Transit is scrambling for solutions to high diesel prices, approving a $2 million injection into their bus fuel fund a two weeks ago to get through this year. Fare increases are being considered as well as potential service cuts. So as more commuters ditch their cars, how are drivers adjusting to the new lifestyle?

"When I boarded the 5:15 Sounder train, there were no seats yesterday," said Gloria Dillon, commuter. "In fact, the conducter announced, 'Welcome new Sounder passengers because of the gas prices!'"

Van pool/van share program set new records last year and are on track to do the same this year with a 10% increase in start-up of new commuter vans and 20% increase in overall van ridership.