Eric Hartley: The good news (really) about $4 gas

By ERIC HARTLEY, Staff Writer

Published 06/15/08

By now, the downside of high gas prices is obvious to everyone.

The upside may be a bit harder to spot, especially if you're reading this shortly after filling up your tank.

But here it is: It seems $4 gas has finally gotten some local commuters out of their cars.

Take Eileen Dillon-Johnston of Annapolis, who used to drive to Landover every day from her home in Annapolis, then take Metrorail to her job at a Washington, D.C., law firm.

Then it started costing $40 to fill up her small Toyota Celica, which gets pretty good mileage. Two weeks ago, she started taking the 7:30 a.m. bus from the park and ride lot off...

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Public Transportation - June 15, 2008

Sad that it took $4/gal to get some folks out of their cars and onto public transportation. The DC Metro should have been expanded moons ago--same thing with buses. I still, however, can't believe the monthly cost to ride the commuter buses and the Metro. As a federal employee, I get the transit subsidy to ride the Metro, but often times it runs out before the next quarterly distribution (parking expenses are not included). I did my math and I will be using $200+ out of pocket to get me through the rest of the quarter. It also didn't help that Metro raised fares that hit those who live/commute further out. All in all it is great that people are getting out of their cars and using public transportation...I just hope the powers that be take notice and start pushing for more public transportation. I believe it would do a lot of good for all of us!

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