From the Holland Sentinel

People are feeling pain at the pump.

That’s the reason why Sherri Cadeaux of the Macatawa Area Express said many Hollanders are relying on public transit to get around as gas prices are expected to hit $4 a gallon.

From March 2010 to March 2011, the MAX saw a 25.66 percent increase in ridership, and from February to March this year, there were 7,000 more passengers opting to take the bus.

“The last time we saw such a huge yearly jump like this was in 2008,” Cadeaux said. “I think it’s maybe even a little bit more severe now, because people have sustained longer term economic hardships.”

It’s not just the bus that’s picking up more passengers, though.

The Michigan Department of Transportation reported that February marked 16 consecutive months of Amtrak ridership growth and was the best February on record with more than 2.1 million passengers nationwide.

The Pere Marquette line experienced increased ridership in the past year with a total of 39,906 riders from October 2010 to February 2011, Elisa Hoekwater of the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council said.

“(Amtrak) added cars to take care of the people that are wanting to take the train,” said John Langdon, a member of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers.

“Sometimes the train gets sold out because it’s an all-reserved train. That’s an indication that April is going to be a darn good month.”

As for MAX, rising gas prices mean their demographics could change with more middle-income people forgoing a second vehicle and jumping on the bus instead, Cadeaux said.

“Our drivers are recognizing a lot of new faces on the bus,” Cadeaux said, “and the office has been getting a lot more calls over the past 90 days from new passengers inquiring about how to use the bus system.”

Source: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/x215603268/Gas-prices-push-alternative-rides