US Public Transit Sees More Riders as Gas Prices Remain High

As the Iran war enters its fourth month, ridership on US public transit systems is rising as gasoline prices remain near historic highs.

Weekday commutes on Los Angeles County’s Metro system, for instance, jumped nearly 8% between January and May. “With gas prices in April averaging roughly $5.70 per gallon, the ability to travel across the county for just $1.75 makes rail an increasingly attractive and cost-effective alternative,” Maya Pogoda, senior director of communications for Los Angeles’s Metro system, said in an email.

Metrolink commuters.

Photographer: Mark Abramson/Bloomberg

Transportation agencies in Boston, Chicago and other cities also report growing ridership. Experts said it remains ...