TORONTO – As the price of gasoline continues to rise to levels never seen before, public transport agencies are experiencing a considerable increase in passengers. 

The expensive gasoline has brought motorists to their knees who already last week, due to the 16% increase, paid a liter of fuel $ 1,84.9. But the bad news is that it did not end like this: on the horizon there are in fact further price increases. Many analysts predict that the cost of a liter of fuel will exceed $2 per in the coming weeks as oil continues to rise and will soon reach $150 a barrel.

Leaving the car in the garage and using public transport is the obligatory choice for many drivers who have to go to work every day.

TTC and Metrolinx officials also reported that they have seen an increase in the number of passengers in recent days, although it is unclear to what extent it can be attributed to the increase in gasoline prices or the number of people returning to work in their offices. “We noticed a difference – said Metrolinx spokeswoman Anne Marie Aikins to CP24 – many commuters say ‘These gasoline prices are too high for me, I choose GO’ which has now become a much more convenient way to get around”.”

Aikins said the number of passengers along GO Transit’s network has increased in recent weeks as the province lifted many public health restrictions, but still remains at only 26 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

The increase in the cost of fuel is already lightening the wallet of many drivers by $100 a week. Interviewed by CP24, TTC spokesman Stuart Green said that while it is difficult to do “any kind of meaningful analysis” on passengers given the impact of ongoing reopenings, some research has previously suggested that for every 10% increase in the price of gasoline there is an increase of about one and a half percent of travelers on public transport. Currently the TTC is at 51% of its pre-pandemic passenger number: in the spring of 2020, the number of passengers had dropped to 15% of the pre-pandemic levels. “I think we can predict that more people will choose to use public transport- said Green – unfortunately it is a bit complicated to quantify, but we expect to see more people on buses and trams. It’s always been a viable option and I think people will now understand why.”

Then there are those who do not intend to travel by bus at all but also not even pay the prices now charged at the gas pump: some operators of GTA gas stations have declared an increase in drivers who refuel and leave without paying.

At least seven gas stations in Toronto’s west-end have reportedly suffered theft in recent weeks, including a gas station in Etobicoke, near Kipling and Dundas, from which gasoline worth at least $1,000 was stolen. Some motorists-thieves sharpen their wits: since they are almost always filmed by the camera they use stolen license plates.

Prices currently stand at 184.9 cents per liter in most GTA stations but today it could trigger a further increase. “In Canada, prices are already at an all-time high. Much of Canada will continue to see prices rise by another 5-15 cents per litre in the next one to two weeks,” said Patrick de Haan, head of oil analysis for GasBuddy.com.

In British Columbia, for example, the price of gasoline has already exceeded $ 2 per liter.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed oil prices to levels not seen in at least eight years, as oil companies avoid Russian crude and sanctions exclude some Russian banks from a global payments system, severely disrupting its exports.