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Well, demand isn't entirely inelastic:

Ridership on the MBTA surged 6.2 percent in the first three months of 2008 compared with the start of 2007, a spike the general manager today attributed to "scary" gas prices that could help set an annual record for trips on subways, trains, and buses.

The steep increase in customers put the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority ahead of other transit systems, which have seen ridership spikes of 2 to 4 percent so far this year, according to Daniel Grabauskas, the MBTA general manager.



you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Mon May 5th, 2008 at 08:10:51 PM EST
Yeah, same thing's happening in DC, and I think the SEPTA in Philly has seen quite a jump, too.  Probably happening in every major city, although I'm guessing less so in New York, mainly because I believe a such a high percentage already use public transit there.

Where's your motherf*%&ing flag pin?
by Drew J Jones (blahblahblah@blahblahblah.com) on Tue May 6th, 2008 at 08:06:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]
All demand elasticities are higher, the longer the market period you are talking about.

The elasticity of demand for gasoline the week following a price increase is very, very low. The elasticity of demand for gasoline a year after a sustained price increase, not quite as low. Five years following the onset of a sustained price increase, it could well be elastic.


Utsukushikereba sore de ii

by BruceMcF (agila61 at netscape dot net) on Wed May 7th, 2008 at 01:47:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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