PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh-area's transit agency said high gas prices have spurred ridership despite a fare increase and route cuts that, at first, dropped the number of passengers.

The Port Authority said more than 233,000 people rode its buses and trolleys in July. That's up 6 percent from July 2007. The agency has cut its routes by 15 percent since June 2007, and implemented a 25-cent fare increase in January to offset budget shortfalls.