Officials at Greater Bridgeport Transit are anticipating a surge in ridership as gas prices tick well past $4 a gallon.

CEO Doug Holcomb says the service usually prefers to buy its gas on a long-term contract, meaning the surge in gas prices is not impacting riders' fare charges.

Last year, it was paying around $1.63 a gallon for diesel fuel. Holcomb says the most recent purchases are around $3.50 a gallon.

"We are still within the budget. We've done well that way, but the last couple purchases of, you know $3.50 a gallon, are a little bit scary and problematic," said Holcomb.

Greater Bridgeport Transit fares are staying steady. Holcomb says higher gas prices usually means more people are choosing to ride the bus and more income to make up some of the cost.

Holcomb says in the shortest month of the year - February - Greater Bridgeport Transit saw a quarter of a million boardings.

Greater Bridgeport Transit is looking to buy less fuel moving forward as it converts more of its fleet to battery electric. The service currently operates two electric buses. Holcomb says nearly a fifth of the fleet will be converted by the end of 2024.