If you're a transit rider who feels as though the bus or light-rail vehicle you travel in has been more popular lately, you're not alone.

The pinch at the gas pump, though easing somewhat lately, appears to have nudged more commuters into public transportation, said Port Authority spokesman David Whipkey.

The Port Authority yesterday released July ridership numbers that show an increase of more than 6 percent over July 2007.

On an average weekday in July, the Port Authority carried more than 233,500 riders on its bus, rail, incline and ACCESS services. Average weekday ridership in July 2007 was 220,133. In total, the Port Authority provided nearly 6 million transit rides in July, almost 500,000 more than in July 2007.

Mr. Whipkey said it's the first time the Port Authority has been able to compare ridership numbers with data collected after the June 2007 service cuts and price increases, when ridership dipped an estimated 3 percent.

"We're finally able to get an apples-to-apples comparison," he said.

Mr. Whipkey said it's still too early to determine whether ridership has rebounded from the drop of a year ago, "But it's a help."

"The challenge," he said, "is to take those first-time riders that are right now finding us and keep them riding. [We hope they'll] see how much of a bargain it is to ride versus paying extra money at the pump and paying to park Downtown."

Bus ridership on an average weekday is up 4.75 percent over a year ago. ACCESS ridership is up 4.14 percent and Monongahela Incline use is up 11 percent. Light-rail transit is up 17.27 percent.

Light-rail riders during rush hour yesterday evening agreed that they've seen more faces on the trolleys lately.

Laura Reiss, 50, of Mt. Lebanon, began taking the T to her job with ACTION-Housing last October.

"I love it," she said. "When I first started riding, I had no problem finding a seat. Now, I do. You get used to seeing the same faces, but a lot of them are different."

Tressa DiGiulio, 32, of Mt. Lebanon, an actress who works for W.T. Glover & Associates, returned to Pittsburgh recently after three years in Chicago.

"It's so expensive to park Downtown," she said. "I can walk to my stop. It's a combination of gas prices and the convenience. I mean, it feels like an even easier commute than it is.

"I've noticed that there seem to be more riders lately. And my sister, who rides in the mornings, said she's really noticed it then."

Jennifer Jones, 35, of Monongahela, drives to South Park, where she parks, then takes the T to Steel Plaza, where she transfers to a bus that takes her to her job with UPMC in Oakland. It's a routine she started in May.

"My husband and I share one vehicle, and it's so much easier to do it this way," she said. "The parking, my gosh, and the wear and tear on your car and the cost of gas nowadays. [Taking the T] may seem like a little bit of an inconvenience, but it's so much more cost-effective."

Becky Winschel, 58, of Mt. Lebanon, an employee of PNC Bank, catches the T at First Avenue, right next to her office.

"I have no complaints," said Ms. Winschel, who has been a rider for 11 years. "It's still a good value, as opposed to paying to park.

"I suppose increased ridership is good, but we don't need really any more riders," she laughed. "I can't get a seat as it is. By the time I get on it around 5 o'clock, it's standing room only."

As good as the news about increased ridership might be, Mr. Whipkey cautioned that it has to be taken in context. At the end of the month, the authority's long-term contract for cheaper diesel fuel expires and fuel costs will climb significantly.