Alternatives to the High Price of Gas

Office of the Press Secretary
September 26, 2005

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

SUBJECT: Energy and Fuel Conservation by Federal Agencies

“All agencies should conserve fuel so we can reduce overall demand and allow extra supplies to be directed towards the hurricane relief effort. In particular, agencies should temporarily curtail non-essential travel and other activities that use gasoline or diesel fuel, and encourage employees to carpool, telecommute, and use public transportation to reduce fuel use.”

Executive Order from President George W. Bush

• Executive Order from President Bush
• President Bush Calls for Conserving Fuel by Using Transit

Ridership Increases Due To Gas Prices

APTA Press Releases

• Transit Ridership Showed Increases in All Modes in 2005 Third Quarter -- Even With Decline in Gas Prices in November, Strong Ridership Trend Continues As More Than 25 Agencies Show Double Digit Increases
• High Gas Prices, Emerging Technologies Spur Transit Ridership Increases

APTA News Release

• Letter to President George W. Bush on the Use of Public Transit in Times of High Gas Prices

Reports

• STPP Report: Households Feel the Pinch as Transportation Costs Continue to Rise
• Conserving Energy and Preserving the Environment: The Role of Public Transportation

Center for the Advancement of Health

• Center for the Advancement Of Health: Walking to Public Transit May Meet Daily Exercise Needs

Ridership Increases Due to Gas Prices

• San Jose Mercury News: Agency lures elderly with free rides for three months
• USA Today: High gas prices alter driving habits -- December 12, 2005
• Los Angeles Times: Rail Riders Stay on Track Despite Drop in Gas Prices
• Charlotte Observer: Commuters driven to transit -- High gas prices shift sentiment toward public transportation
• By The Busload: Grand Valley Transit has record month
• St. Petersburg Times: County's buses draw a crowd
• The News Press: Expansion of transit system sought South Florida
• New York Times: Trading the Car for the Train
• The Providence Journal: Jump in gas prices boots RIPTA rideship
• MassLive.com: Bus ridership sees 32% rise Western Massachusetts
• Herald-Review: Decatur's public transit finds ridership rises with gas prices Decatur, Illinois
• Asbury Park Press: NJ Transit ridership up
• Saint Louis Business Journal: Bi-state transit systems see boost in ridership
• The Daily Journal: Transit ridership surges San Mateo County, California
• The Star-Telegram: A New Argument for Mass Transit Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas