As gas prices climb, bus ridership rises
Published Friday, May 23, 2008
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Stumble It!Gas prices are still going up. Not surprisingly, the numbers indicate more commuters are riding the bus.
A perfect time to talk about bus options.
Public transportation officials said they’ll consider the prospect of expanding bus service in future years through the use of park-and-rides — spots where commuters leave their car close to home and take a bus to civic centers — to help connect neighborhoods to downtown Fairbanks.
David Leone of the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s Transportation Department still sees year-round park-and-rides as just an idea.
But the borough will be setting-up a free, summer-only park-and-ride post on Farmers Loop at the Steese Area Volunteer Fire Department’s old headquarters — offering a chance, in the process, to gauge interest.
The borough is also discussing whether to study the option of year-round park-and-ride sites for Ester, Two Rivers and possibly Salcha, he said.
“But it is going to take some study, because it’s not something we want to enter into lightly,” said Leone, the department’s transportation manager. “We want to make sure people would use it.”
Other cities tout park-and-ride systems as a chance for commuters to save money while finding more time to relax or read.
Transportation officials hold $725,000 from a federal grant to set up a park-and-ride stop. Leone said the money was originally slated for the North Pole area, which is served by the bus system’s Green Line, but indicated transportation officials want to discuss whether it might best be spent elsewhere.
A line connecting North Pole and Fairbanks has generated strong interest from North Pole residents, City Councilwoman Sharon Hunter said. She suggested a recognizable park-and-ride station might boost demand for the bus even further — North Pole residents, Hunter said, face uncomfortably heavy traffic on their way into Fairbanks at morning rush hour.
“The timing is really right for that concept,” she said.
But would many drivers really want to warm their cars on cold days, drive to park-and-ride lots, and take the bus before returning eight or nine hours later to a cold car? And would they be willing to pay monthly parking fees to use the lots?
Leone said a survey would help the borough answer those questions and better understand demand for public transportation in the semi-rural neighborhoods surrounding Ester and Chena Hot Springs Road. He said people have already shown a real interest in riding the bus to avoid rising prices at the gas pump.
Carl Benson, a longtime member of the community’s advisory transportation commission, said many people underestimate both the cost of owning a car — which requires an owner to buy fuel, pay insurance and schedule repairs and tune-ups — and the value of using the bus for routine trips and chores. He said people are waking up to the bus system’s value as the price of fuel nears levels seen for years in many European countries that levy higher taxes on gas.
“If you can use the bus for that,” Benson said of routine trips to things like a job or the store, “you’re way ahead. That’s the fundamental point of the (bus) system.”
Community Discussion
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I bet a lot of people underestimate the cost of running a bus line too. But, of course, that doesn't come into the equation.
Suggestion: Check out Metro in Houston, TX. They use a great "Park & Ride" system.
What is the approximate cost per seat-mile during a typical Fairbanks "rush hour" of the FNSB bus? (Including Federal taxpayer subsidies.)
By all means, expand the bus system. More routes, more stops, and longer operating hours. I have used the bus system only 5 or so times in the years I have lived in Fairbanks, but intend to use it regularly this summer and winter.
I don't know the costs of the bus system AkRascal and emo, why don't you do some research and let us know? Perhaps you could also examine the value of getting more cars off the road which will result in fewer accidents, less road maintenance, eliminate costly road expansion, reduction of winter time ice fog, lower exhaust emissions, lower demand for fuel, etc. Personally I don't use the transit system because it doesn't go where I need to but my bicycle works great!
Maybe Gov Palin's debit card plan should also include paying for transit fares.
The cost per seat-mile is one of "the numbers" that should be readily available from (responsible) MACS or city program managers and easily reportable by our favorite local paper. Useful information like that allows residents and eligible voters in FNSB to make informed decisions at the pump and the ballot box. The total grant amount for the Park-and-Ride reported here is not particularly useful.
So, are buses as evil as bicycles?
We used to have a bus system that came out to Two Rivers. I believe it was Ed Anders who had started it but the Borough shut it down. It was real popular and would be greatly used again.
I always thought they could put a rail system between Fairbanks and Eielson that could be used by passengers. There are endless possibilities for mass transits. Wonder how a passenger riverboat would work during the summer, we do have lots of rivers running through our town.
T_A_C you've baited me into a little satire, it's weak, I know, but its the best I can do:
By proclamation of comments in the online Newsminer, this week's order of Evilness is:
5) Reckless drivers (angels by any measure)
4) Transit system (FAMTS)
3) Pedestrians
2) Bicyclists
AND straight from Infernus:
1) Fairbanks fire fighters
Have a great Memorial Day Weekend, Reckless drivers do your best to clean up society!
I live off Badger Rd and would LOVE to take the bus, but my work hours are later in the evening and I don't want to ride 25 miles on a bike just to get home. Would be nice to see extended hours in the summer when folks are out later 'cause it's light out.
I find it curious that there isn't a mention of increased gas prices hitting the cost of bus fares and passes. I don't ride during the summer, as a general rule, but I expect to see higher rates come winter. Maybe if we're lucky, increased ridership will offset the cost of fueling the buses.
I am surprised some enterprising person with a van has not started a commuter service to Two Rivers as well as Eielson and Salcha. Something where you are picked up centrally at a place with plug-ins, but dropped off at or near your workplace in town. Otherwise, if they drop you off at the transit park and you then have to catch a bus, it could take several hours to get to work depending on where that is located. I usually make a few stops before or after work most days but I could plan those for a few times a week and take public transportation on the other days if it were available.
Bus rides from Michigan to Alaska would take about 3 weeks. I'd take anyride if it was getting me to work while you can take advantage of heching a ride. (of you fell save of course) but of course pay 1/2 the cost if you had to go by yourself. Gasoline it's cheap without a huge oil refinery there have to always keep that in mind.
I'd like to take the bus from NP to Fairbanks. But like the article says what do you do in the winter? Return to a cold car that wont start? maybe they can do something with the unused mall parking lot and put in some plug-ins.
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