A report released this week by Caltrans and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission showed that while some specific traffic delays in the Bay Area have improved, overall congestion throughout the region reached its highest level since 2000. A combination of factors may be contributing to the improvement. Officials credited the reconfiguration of FastTrak lanes at the Bay Bridge for improving congestion on one of the worst bottlenecks, Interstate 80. Some commute routes may now be lighter due to the economic downturn. With gas prices hitting $4.00 per gallon and higher, more commuters are choosing public transportation. BART has reported increased rider ship and recently removed seats from some of its cars to accommodate more people. On Thursday, the annual Bike to Work Day attracted thousands of people, as an alternative mode of transportation.
With:
Rachel Gordon.
Airdate: May 16, 2008.
Additional Resources
Thousands gear up for Bike to Work Day
Rachel Gordon, Chronicle
Is your commute one of the worst in the Bay?
Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle
Bicycles make a comeback due to high gas prices, retailers say
Tim Simmers, San Mateo County Times
Public transit adjusts to surge in ridership
Erik N. Nelson, Oakland Tribune, Denis Cuff, Contra Costa Times
