Across the nation, gas prices are soaring to unbelievable heights.
Though gas stations close to FAMU’s campus, such as Solo on Lake Bradford, RaceWay and Petro on Adams Street were recently some of the cheapest stations in Tallahassee their average gas price for the past few days has been $3.20 for regular unleaded.
Various factors, such as Hurricane Katrina, have led to the rise in prices.
Hurricane Katrina ushered in a new threat for gasoline prices due to oil reserves that were damaged on August 29 by its 175 mph winds that slammed the gulf. As a result, gas prices climbed even higher this week.
Dr. Nathaniel Johnson, Assistant Professor of Economics, believes gas prices are also rising because of world events.
“The call by the U.S. government for democracy and market economies by so many of our trading and political partners has lead to them consuming and adopting the lifestyle of the U. S. consumer.”
Gas prices are also affecting the pockets of commuting college students.
In an effort to save gas, some students have reduced the amount of times they use their vehicles throughout the week.
Vickki Vazquez, a second year pre-physical therapy student from Miami said, “I’m not driving. I’m going only to school and to work.”
Other students have decided to carpool to save gas.
Roommates Damont Singleton and Austin Corley from DeLand believe that arranging a carpool will help them save gas.
“We try to get our classes at the same time,” Damont, a 20-year-old computer engineering technology student said, “We try to accommodate each others schedule.”
Nick Shariff has been the owner of the Petro station near FAMU for eight years and his business has not been negatively affected by the rise in gas prices.
Although Shariff has not witnessed a big change in the actions of customers, he has noticed that not as many customers spend money inside the station.
The British Petroleum gas station on Tennessee Street has experienced an increase in sales. “When the gas prices were lower I didn’t have business, but when the gas prices got higher we had more business,” said Mike Dell, a BP employee.
As gas prices increase, some stations are using incentives to get customers to buy more gas.
“Wednesdays we have a free car wash with eight gallons,” Ro Walker the manager of Chevron on Pensacola Street said.
contact A’sia Horne-Smith at famuannews@hotmail.com.