With rising gas prices, HART counts iincreased bus ridership over last year

Tampa Bay area gas prices are up 10 cents over last week alone.

If the trend continues, AAA expects Tampa Bay will see $4 a gallon gas at most pumps within a couple weeks.

And every time numbers go up on George Saad's gas station signs in Tampa, his customers aren't exactly pumped up.

"Business is going slowly because of gas prices. Everybody is complaining," Saad said.

Not everyone is complaining, though.

"I do own a vehicle but I choose to ride the bus," Sylvia Wesley said.

Wesley chooses HART, Hillsborough County's bus system, over the comfort of her own car, for one main reason.

"Gas is like $4 a gallon now and the bus is only $2 a day for me," she said.

Wesley is one of many helping HART hit an 11% increase over this time last year, and this isn't the first time the buses have gotten a little more crowded.

July 17, 2008 was the last time the Bay Area averaged $4 a gallon for gas.

"When we saw gas prices go up in 2008, not only did we attract new customers, we retained a lot of them," said HART Spokesperson Marcia Mejia.

Bus systems in both Pinellas and Pasco Counties also report increases.

HART points to other factors, like higher quality service, but there's no mistaking why people like Sylvia Wesley are getting on board.

"I probably would have to get a second job because that's how the gas prices are increasing," Wesley said.

Hart says it won't increase fees due to gas costs, least for the next fiscal year.

After that, it's anyone's guess, and George Saad's guess about the future of his signs comes with 14 years experience in the fuel business.

"I'm expecting by June it's going to be $5," he said.