Record-high gas prices make Americans use transit instead of cars

Americans hopped on buses, subways and commuter rails more last year amid record-high gas prices and drove less on the nation's highways, according to industry figures to be released Monday.

Experts disagree on whether the number of riders — the most since 1956 — indicates Americans' travel habits are changing or if the shift away from cars is temporary because of fuel costs and the recession.

People made 10.7 billion trips on public transit in 2008, a 4 percent increase over 2007, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Over the same time, Americans drove 3.6 percent less on the nation's highways. Gas prices peaked at more than $4 in July before falling, but ridership remained strong.