The April numbers are higher from a year earlier and it's across the board - both bus and rail. Gas prices are an obvious explanation, although it's not exactly an avalanche of new riders (mass transit still makes up a small part of L.A.’s daily commuting population). Also, don’t assume that the switchover will last – a drop in gas prices could get folks behind the wheel again. But for all the caveats, there’s no getting around the increase in passengers. Here's the latest report from the MTA. Below are the highlights.

BUS (Systemwide)
April, 2008 - 33.27 million
April, 2007 - 33.15 million

ORANGE LINE
April, 2008 - 622,699
April, 2007 - 602,970

RED LINE
April, 2008 - 3.67 million
April, 2007 - 3.56 million

BLUE LINE
April, 2008 - 2.07 million
April, 2007 - 2.03 million

GREEN LINE
April, 2008 - 1.01 million
April, 2007 - 945,000

GOLD LINE
April, 2008 - 594,108
April, 2007 - 497,419