After months of decline, CARTA transit ridership was up for February, Executive Director Tom Dugan told the CARTA board on Thursday morning.
Transit ridership for the month was 142,465 - up from last February's 139,113.
Transit ridership for the fiscal year to date is still down. It is at 1,144,175 compared to the previous 1,210,606.
However, ridership on the free electric shuttle was down in February. It was at 51,128 compared to the previous 54,819.
Year to date, shuttle ridership is down from 543,757 from the previous 559,018.
Mr. Dugan said CARTA is facing rising diesel fuel prices.
The agency was paying $1.50 per gallon at its discounted government rate a year ago and is now facing a price of $2.25 a gallon.
He said the city is looking at budgeting $2.60 a gallon for diesel fuel, while CARTA had been considering a $2.40 budget figure.
CARTA budgeted diesel fuel at $2.05 a gallon in the current budget.
Mr. Dugan said parking revenues continue to rise. Collections for the first eight months of the fiscal year are $409,826.
He said it is projected that collections from parking meters, lots and garages will eventually more than cover the expense of the free shuttle.
At that point, he said the agency will be in a position to explore new parking facilities.
County Commissioner Warren Mackey, who is on the CARTA board, said that move can't come too soon.
He said parking spots are getting harder and harder to find downtown.
Mr. Dugan praised employees at the Incline, who stayed operating until 10 p.m. during the recent snowstorm that had roads closed on Lookout Mountain.
He said the employees slept at the station and were back in operation early the next morning to help stranded mountain residents.
The mayor of Lookout Mountain sent a letter of thanks, he said.