Skyrocketing prices at the gas pump are driving people to use Skagit Transit buses in ever-increasing numbers — even in the month of June, which last year saw a decline in ridership compared to May.
The total number of rides on Skagit Transit buses increased from 44,828 in May to 45,202 in June — an increase of 1 percent. Last year, ridership declined by 9 percent from May to June.
Comparing this June to the same month last year, ridership increased 31 percent. For the first five months of 2008, the number of Skagit Transit rides was up 18 percent compared with the same period last year.
The usual May-to-June drop-off, which may be due to the end of the school year, was probably offset by the demand created by high fuel prices, Skagit Transit spokesman Ryan Pemberton said.
“When gas prices jump up as they are, I think that’s the obvious answer” that explains the increase, Pemberton said.
The two Mount Vernon-based commuter routes to Bellingham and Everett continue to see dramatic gains. June ridership on the Bellingham run increased 80 percent compared to last year. On the Everett bus, the number of rides went up 74 percent in June compared to a year ago.
The Everett Connector now carries more than 200 passengers a day, Pemberton said. Service to Everett will likely cease in mid-2009 if a ballot measure calling for a 0.2 percent sales tax increase doesn’t pass in November, Skagit Transit Executive Director Dale O’Brien has said.
