All gassed out

Tired of paying too much for gasoline at the pump?

Good, you’re probably not the only one feeling that way.

With the recent spike in gas prices going up to $3.20 a gallon and dropping to $2.90, many people are paying a lot at the pump to get to school.

But why the recent spike in gas prices? Is it because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita?

Because of high gas prices, most people have to limit their spending including going to the grocery or clothing stores in order to have enough money to put gas in their automobile. Forget about buying bread, cookies, sodas, orange juice and other goodies.

Fresno State student Carlos Gonzalez, a liberal studies major, was hit hard by the spiked gas prices.

“Right now I’m paying $3.09 a gallon in premium,” said Gonzalez, who owns a ‘97 Camaro. “It’s really expensive when we have to delay our meals. I have eight people in our family and I spend $20 a day on gas. To fill it up it’s $40.”

Gonzalez admits he drives five miles back and forth to school and home, and said he’s looking for ways to cut his costs.

“Prices are crazy,” he said. “I might have to get a bus pass or buy a car with a smaller engine.”

Agriculture Education major Steve Americano said he pays $20 a day for gas and filling up his ‘89 Chevy Blazer costs him more than $80, even though he doesn’t usually drive his car to Fresno State.

“I ride my bike a lot,” he said. “And I live down the street.”

It’s ridiculous to see the recent record gas prices go up. It’s even puzzling to see some local gas stations with different prices.

Some students have suggested carpooling with friends, which isn’t a bad idea.

An even better idea is purchasing a bus pass. Oh wait, that might not be a good idea. Usually bus drivers stop somewhere to grab some breakfast and that might make you late to your class.

There was even talk that some people would just boycott the surrounding gas stations. Yeah, boycott for a day, week or a month? I don’t think so.

Point is, no matter how high gas prices are, we’re going to spend whatever it takes to get to our destination.

Last week, gas prices at gas stations around Fresno State averaged a few cents below $3.

At the Shell Station on First and Shaw, regular unleaded was $2.95, unleaded plus $3.12 and premium $3.22. Across the street at Chevron prices were slightly higher at $2.97, $3.15 and $3.25. Up the street on Shaw and Fresno, Mobile gas prices matched Shell at $2.95, $3.15 and $3.17.

Remember the days when gasoline was $1.99? We are fortunate that we’re not paying high gas prices like Europeans in Amsterdam and Oslo. They pay $6.48 and $6.27, according to the CNN Web site.

Not much too complain about, I guess. Could it get worse? Who knows.\

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