High Cost of Gasoline Cause for Less Traffic Volume and Congestion
It appears that the high cost of gasoline has led people to drive less, leaving the roads with fewer cars and less congestion.

San José at the peak morning hours (6am - 8am) and afternoon rush hours (4:30pm - 6:30pm) has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of cars on the road since the last hike in gasoline prices.

The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT) estimates that there are about 1 million cars circulating in Costa Rica, consuming some 45.000 gallons of gasoline each day. San José sees the highest number of those cars on its streets.

According to the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (RECOPE), the consumption of gasoline, based on their sales to gasoline retailers, has dropped 5% in the last couple of months, meaning only 42.750 gallons are being used each day and less cars on the road.

A drive through the heart of San José along Paseo Colon from the Sabana Park to the Museo Nacional on the east side will take about 45 minutes shortly after 1pm during any weekday. Yesterday it took less than 15 minutes.

According to transit officials, they have seen a higher number of motorcycles and scooters on the road and more people using the buses. That news is not too good for taxi drivers, who, facing higher gasoline prices, are now faced with less demand for their services.

In the past, there has always been an increase in traffic volumes during the pay periods - the 15th and 30th of each month - and this is expected to continue. However, in between pay periods, even the price reduction of last Friday of ¢25 colones on a litre of super gasoline and ¢24 colones for regular has not convinced drivers to use their cars on a daily basis.