Standing room only on some buses

GASTONIA, N.C. -- The soaring gas prices are sending passengers soaring on board public transportation.

The Charlotte Area Transit System is experiencing major growth on its regional express bus routes that include the six counties surrounding Mecklenburg. Ridership has climbed over the last year, and particularly over the five months.

"Gas is a big factor yes," said one woman as she boarded a bus in Belmont.

"I have a large Tahoe here and it's too expensive to drive back and forth," said Suzanne Hanline.

Ridership on board the 85x Gastonia Express, which goes from Gaston County to Uptown, has increased by nearly 1,000 people since the beginning of the year. It's often standing room only.

"The first day I rode the bus, I was the only person on the bus," said Joe Waller.

Ridership has increased every single month since the route started back in 2001, according to Hank Graham, a transportation official with the City of Gastonia. Riders signed a petition asking CATS and county leaders to expand the route.

"It really is surprising; I didn't think people would take to riding the bus like they have," said one rider.

"We signed it because we've always been complaining that there's never enough seating," said Nick Sipe.

"Sometimes it's 12-15 people standing up in the aisle at one time. It's very dangerous to me for people to have to stand up. If a sudden stop happens, these guys will go flying everywhere," said another passenger.

CATS has approved money to add more stops along the Gastonia Express, if county commissioners pitch in too. Gaston County Commissioners will meet Thursday evening to decide on the extra $29,000 needed to expand the route. If they approve the funding, the extra trips would start in October. CATS is also considering expanding the Rock Hill express route.