In inflation-adjusted terms, the price of gasoline today is actually lower per gallon than it was in 1967. While congestion is undeniably increasing in most urban areas, even highly-congested cities such as Chicago are experiencing transit ridership losses. And the automobile continues to prove itself the most comfortable and convenient form of personal transportation ever invented. Second, as the public perceives that urban crime and violence are increasing, transit becomes less attractive. Even a few well-publicized incidents on transit further fuel the fire.
Local governments are strapped to pay for essential public safety and human services.
Transit authorities, most of which are sales tax-supported, are feeling the effects of the recession. Federal operating funds have been cut every year. Decreasing ridership translates into less farebox revenue. Many transit systems have reached the point where further fare increases are counterproductive, because they result in ridership losses so large that revenues actually decline, not increase. Transit operating costs continue to rise.