With rising fuel costs, SEPTA rides are more economical than ever and the rising costs aren’t hurting the organization, who operates hundreds of diesel-burning buses, according to an article on KYW1060.com.

SEPTA’s fiscal 2009 budget contains about $15 million more for fuel than was originally proposed in March, but that there won’t be any fare increases because there are more people that are riding SEPTA, sharing the cost.

SEPTA spokesman Richard Maloney: “What we’re seeing is an increase in ridership of about 13 million riders, year-to-date, and this is attributable almost exclusively to the increase in the cost of gasoline. People are leaving their cars and getting on public transportation.”

Regional Rails have seen the largest jump, and since they are run with electricity, hasn’t increased as much as fuel has. SEPTA is also going to put 400 diesel-electric hybrid buses on the road in the next 12 months.

Photo courtesy of KYW1060.com.