( S-R photo by Brian Plonka )

In our editorial board meetings, we’ve had a recurring discussion on what it would take in Spokane to wean people from their cars. How high would gas have to go — $4, $5, $6?

National news has been filled yesterday and today with the news that ridership on public transit is up everywhere, due in part to gas prices.

From AP:

In the first three months of 2008, 2.6 billion trips were taken on public transportation in the U.S., a 3 percent increase over the first quarter of 2007, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

Spokane is not immune to the trend. As Jonathan Brunt reported in a recent story:

Last year, STA gave 9.4 million rides on fixed routes – a 12 percent rise from the year before. The service has experienced increases in rides every month this year compared to the same months in 2007.

So do you think $4 a gallon is the magic number in Spokane? Blog lines are open.