SAN DIEGO -- Triggered by high gas prices, the Metropolitan Transit System set ridership records on the San Diego Trolley and its busses in June, it was announced Thursday.

"With gas well over 4 dollars a gallon, San Diegans and visitors alike are turning to public transit to maintain their mobility and budget," said Paul Jablonski, MTS' chief executive officer.

There were more than 3.4 million passenger trips on the trolley in June, a 16 percent increase from the previous month and a 17 percent rise over the same time last year, according to MTS.

Busses had more than 4.2 million riders in June, a 9.6 percent increase over the same month last year, according to MTS.