Steep increases in the price of gasoline have prompted more people to use public transportation in Tennessee this year, according to the state's Department of Transportation (DOT). Although other factors could be contributing to the hike in ridership, a DOT spokesman said steep increases in gasoline prices probably have been a key factor. A sampling of three rural public transportation providers in Tennessee produced an average 43% ridership increase from January through April. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Nashville has seen an 8% to 8.5% increase in ridership over the same period.