Oregon Public Broadcasting

The number of Americans who ride mass transit increased by four percent last year. As Kristian Foden-Vencil reports, Oregon didn’t do as well.

The report by ‘Environment Oregon’ found more Americans than ever are taking the bus and train. It found higher gas prices in 2008 got people out of their cars, and the faltering economy kept them from returning.

North Carolina saw the biggest increase in ridership, at 16 percent. Washington saw a nine percent increase.

Eric Stachon with 1000 Friends of Oregon says the Beaver State was close to the bottom with a two percent increase, but with good reason.

Eric Stachon: “We have a higher percentage of people taking public transit than the national average so on a percentage increase basis, our increase is going to be less than the national average – because we start with a higher percentage of the population to begin with.”

The report found Oregon was well placed to increase ridership in the future, with new transit lines opening and a congressional delegation with a track record of supporting public transportation.