During the summer of 2008, gas prices peaked at a historic high, forcing many drivers to make life-changing choices.

People began cutting back on travel, buying fuel-efficient or hybrid automobiles (including motorcycles and scooters) and, most importantly, choosing to either carpool or ride public transportation to commute.

Ridership on the Shuttle Bus and ZOOM Bus services in the greater Biddeford and Saco areas skyrocketed as new customers flocked to public transportation. The traditional, long-time riders of the ZOOM Bus, for example, began seeing hundreds of new faces, and new complications (such as a lack of parking in Saco) became an issue as dozens of people clamored for seats on the Portland-bound shuttles.

Despite the increase in ridership, the Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit Committee, which operates the local and Maine Turnpike buses, was still suffering financial deficits. High fuel prices were partially to blame, and increased fares were suggested.

We feared that the higher ride rates, combined with the now-stabilized price of gasoline (down $2 since last summer), would put an end to the renaissance in public transportation.

According to Committee Executive Director Ed Clifford, such is not the case.

And, he noted, ridership of public transit is up nationally as well.

Ridership remains high even with increased fares and lower gas prices.

We must express our appreciation to those who continue to commute another way. The reduction of greenhouse gases and dependency on oil experienced when people choose to car pool, and especially take the bus, is immeasurable. Thinking “green” is essential in our world today to continue to attempt to roll back the ills our planet is experiencing from centuries of environmental abuse.

Also, when students choose to use the UNE Shuttle to downtown Biddeford instead of driving, the massive parking problem that has plagued the city.

We also hope the decisions made by the Committee will continue to prove successful. Keeping the service viable through the rate increases has not hindered ridership, but, the truth will be told in the books as well.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Publisher Drew McMullin at 282-1535, Ext. 326 or  dmcmullin@gwi.net, or Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535, Ext. 327 or cityeditor@gwi.net.