Transit Not Traffic In The News

Transit and consumer advocates called on Congress yesterday to provide more funding for public transportation, pointing out that the tax rebates approved in February to help revive the economy are getting eaten up by soaring gasoline prices.

The average household has spent more than $1,500 on fuel since February - roughly equal to the standard "economic stimulus" check issued for a joint-filing couple with a child, according to a report by the Maryland PIRG Foundation.

"People would have spent money on gas anyway, but now the average family is spending almost $100 per week on gas," said Johanna Neumann, the group's state director. In February, the average household was spending a little more than $60 weekly on fuel, she said.

People with easy access to transit spend less getting around, the group reported.