$4 Gas Transforming Habits

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Painfully high gas prices are causing changes in American's behaviors that haven't been possible using any other means.

The Washington Post reports that Americans are changing vacation plans, consolidating errands, and turning to carpools and mass transit.

In a society nurtured on cheap gasoline, the Post says, the effects are rippling everywhere - the end of free pizza deliveries, a plunge in the sales of sport-utility vehicles, a steep drop in the price of houses that are far from jobs or mass transit.

Federal officials reported the first decline in miles driven on U.S. roads since 1979, business at roadside convenience stores has slowed, and the tourism industry is bracing for a downturn this summer.

8% of Americans say they have changed their commuting patterns and are taking public transportation, according to a survey conducted by NPD Group. They are planning vacations closer to home this summer.

...

Amtrak has racked up record numbers for May - ridership rose 12.3% from a year earlier, and ticket sales climbed 15.6%. The railroad is on track to for an 11% rise in ridership this year from last year's 26 million passengers.

...

Sen. Barack Obama says he would fight for Amtrak funding while Sen. John McCain, has sought to block federal subsidies for Amtrak.

http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.c...isplay/id/16207

[Sister Fracas 5]

did someone say "habit" ?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Not really surprising - two years ago our compact car used to cost around $35 to fill the tank. Now we're looking at $50.

In NJ we're protected from that somewhat as city workers use public transport - I can only imagine what our budget would be like if we were still living in CA.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I just started doing a 4 person carpool this week. I had carpooled with another co-worker before, but with 4 of us, that means we're only having to buy gas once every 4 weeks which is going to be a huge help. I wish our employer would consider a 4 day work week, but they aren't open to the idea...at least not yet anyway.

Edited June 12, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[Marilyn. 340]

Not really surprising - two years ago our compact car used to cost around $35 to fill the tank. Now we're looking at $50.

In NJ we're protected from that somewhat as city workers use public transport - I can only imagine what our budget would be like if we were still living in CA.

yeah our car costs about $50 to fill up now too...

gas is about $4.30 to $4.50 around here

we are lucky that hubby has a good job and we have a relatively cheap place to live and the fact that I am a pretty good bargain shopper...

[rclouse 0]

I was thinking about us going camping this summer (Yosemite FTW!) but I think we'll end up visiting beautiful Playa Backyarda instead.

[natty bumppo 289]

did someone say "habit" ?

Are you trying to "kick the habit " ?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

and it's just going up and up and up.

[Ken y Leidys 20]

I live and work in an area where there are no commuters, "Going my way." 1 week worth of gasoline @ $4.40/gal for ~17 gal. costs me roughly $74! After work (teaching the Mentally Retarded & Autistic), I travel each day to the homes of children in that school district for 1:1 instruction. 1.5 hrs. later, I drive home. Although, I am compensated for my after-school duty, it is still very expensive to drive on the weekends. So, for fun I bicycle on my road bike, and I visit with friends who live nearby.

I used to buy $150-200 worth of 12" vinyl (Trance) and DJ throughout Southern Ca. 10 yrs. ago. I'd drive into Hollywood to buy all of my music (@DMC). It was fun, but I'm watching my pennies more, nowadays...

[jundp 191]

I was thinking about us going camping this summer (Yosemite FTW!) but I think we'll end up visiting beautiful Playa Backyarda instead.

I am cringing at the thought of having to drive to Portland on July 8th to take my daughter to the airport (her dad's fam couldn't seem to fly her out of Seattle for some reason) and then to Vancouver the next week to pick up Patrick. We'll be doing a whole lot of walking, biking, and bus taking around here this summer until his family gets here for the wedding. They don't care because the € is worth so much more here....

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Not to ruin the party but consolidating errands? Carpools? Mass transit? Folks, communism is imminent!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I just started doing a 4 person carpool this week. I had carpooled with another co-worker before, but with 4 of us, that means we're only having to buy gas once every 4 weeks which is going to be a huge help. I wish our employer would consider a 4 day work week, but they aren't open to the idea...at least not yet anyway.

cool

gassavers.org has some good gas saving tips

http://www.gassavers.org/index.php

[jundp 191]

Not to ruin the party but consolidating errands? Carpools? Mass transit? Folks, communism is imminent!

Well, I was always a THL so I guess being a commie was only a matter of time....

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What's a THL?

[jundp 191]

What's a THL?

Tree Huggin' Liberal