It seems like the pressures of high gas prices have been both a boon and a bust for Madison Metro. While the agency struggles with steadily climbing gas prices (like everyone else), it has also seen its ridership climb this year.

According to ridership statistics through the end of May, Madison Metro has experienced an increase of more than 300,000 riders, a 5.5 percent increase from last year. I'm curious how this increase will help Metro come budget time in a few months -- I doubt the additional riders will totally offset the increased cost of diesel gas, but it certainly can't hurt. Another question is how many more riders can the bus system handle without needing more buses running (and thus using more gas), and can Metro reach a point where increased ridership would offset gasoline prices? That obviously depends on what time and routes riders choose, but it's an interesting thought, nonetheless. To some extent, Madison Metro is a public service, and thus some routes may be less used, but nonetheless vital for those who ride them. This could cut into reaching the "optimal" level of ridership and profitability, but all things considered, these statistics are good news for Metro.

For all of you bus riders, have you noticed the difference? For non-bus riders, is the option getting a little more tempting? What about walking or biking to work? I know biking is a common mode of transportation for Cap Times employees when it's not raining or snowing buckets outside, but I would imagine statistics on that are a bit harder to track.