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Alaska transportation year in review 2008
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When we look back at 2008, a couple of things are going to stick out from a transportation perspective: fuel prices and the decline/collapse of the auto industry in terms of car sales. These two topics are intertwined and it's pretty much impossible to speak of one without referring to the other.
At the end of the year with gas prices lower than they've been in a long time, it's easy to forget the painful $5 gallon fill ups. A lot of experts right now are saying that those prices could once again surge. This did have a tremendous impact on auto sales and is one of the factors leading to the bailout of two out of the three major manufacturers in the US.
Fuel prices also affected air travel in that most airlines enacted fuel surcharges, started charging for checked bags, and decreased even more "niceties" on their flights.
The status of the industry has had some powerful and positive repercussions, though. The push for alternative fuels is higher than ever before. A lot of folks switched to public transportation methods. Some of these people will not return to private autos, and that's probably a good thing.
The way things have worked out in 2008 has made me very curious to see what 2009 will bring. I have high, if not wary hopes for the future of our transportation model.
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