Practical Entrepreneur

A while back I asked how much a gallon of gas should cost before we see behavior shift in US when it comes to transportation. Today, Wall Street Journal reported (subscription required ) that some of this behavior change is already happening.

Alecia McDowra used to drive her gasoline-guzzling Toyota 4Runner 15 miles back and forth each day between her suburban home and downtown Dallas, where she makes $65,000 a year as a law-firm secretary.

Now, she rides the bus, which saves her about $160 a month in gasoline.

“It was getting too expensive,” said the 39-year-old Mrs. McDowra. “I could fill the tank once a week, or I could fill it once a month by riding the bus.”

Nationwide it seems like ridership on public transport systems has increased by 1.3% compared to last year. In Dallas, Texas number of people using Dallas Area Rapid Transit shows a 10% jump from a year earlier between August and April. And I have definitely noticed fuller buses here in Seattle (I wish I had the numbers to back this up).

Now the question is what effects this shift in behavior might have on cities and their public transportation system if the changes are here to stay?

• Does this change where people choose live in relation to their workplace? Is the 50 minute commute still acceptable?
• Do public transport systems have enough capacity to service this new group of riders?
• Does this change have any effects on city design? What do urban planners think?
• Why doesn’t Seattle-Metro have a decent public transport system? I know the answer to this one: Because people in this area don’t think they should invest in things like transportation!!!