July 1, 2008 5:33 PM

No relief for commuters
Posted by Clifford Atiyehat 5:33 PM

(George Rizer/Globe Staff)


Anyone who has rode the T for the past several months knows getting a seat is now almost as nonexistent as a cheap ticket to a Red Sox Game. But aside from all the Boston baseball fanatics that pile on the Green Line - who help the situation by delaying commutes 15 minutes, thank you - there's simply a bigger crowd these days.

The MBTA just reported its fifth consecutive month of year-over-year increases in ridership, which for May was 5.3 percent higher. Try not to wrinkle your suit.

Perhaps commuting on the Pike was a bit better last month, as there was 3.5 percent fewer drivers - about 600,000 cars - in May versus last year. Of course turnpike officials saw that coming, and increased tolls.

So where's the relief? About a week ago the IRS increased the business mileage rate by eight cents to 58.5, but that won't help workers commuting back and forth from home. Add to that double-digit declines in the US market indexes and rising food prices and you've got a truly grim picture.

All the better to make friends with the guy you're squished against on the train.