The government's weekly survey shows only a four-cent a gallon increase in the average price of regular in the L.A. area, to $3.883. Increases in the last several weeks have been in the seven- to eight-cent range. We're due for an easing of price hikes (at least that what some of the experts say), though don't expect things to settle down until the oil markets settle down. And that hasn't happened. Oil futures neared $120 a barrel today before closing at $118.75. In case you're wondering, MTA bus ridership in March was down four million passengers from a year earlier, but ridership on the Red, Blue, Green and Gold lines was up about 200,000 passengers. Orange Line ridership was up about 11,000. For what it's worth.