Pump
prices strain CSULB students’ pocketbooks,
nerves
By
Michael D. Harvey
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
As gas prices continue to increase across the nation and reach all-time highs
in California, students find themselves not only reprioritizing their budgets,
but also finding alternative means for getting to school and work.
Los Angeles commuters paid a national-record average $3.314 for self-serve
regular gas, according to the AAA Web site. College students feel a big effect
from the high prices. As a result, some Cal State Long Beach students are willing
to give up the comfort of their own vehicles in order to ease the pain at the
pump.
“
I try to limit the use of my car as much as I can,” said Kael Ramsey-Ackerson,
a journalism major who drives a 1990 Ford Mustang and spends anywhere from
$40 to $60 filling his tank depending on which gas station he goes to. “I
will definitely be carpooling more next semester.”
Not everyone is as open to abandoning their cars in order to save a few dollars.
“
I have considered using alternative forms of transportation,” said Juliana
Borja, a journalism major. “But I am such a busy person. It would be
easier for me to drive my own car as opposed to relying on public transportation
schedules.”
Despite the cost of crude oil recently topping off at a record $75.17 per barrel,
there has been heavy speculation and several reports recently about the possibility
of gasoline company executives profiteering from gas prices rather than the
cost of gas reflecting an increase in cost from the source, according to consumerwatchdog.org.
Initially brought to the public’s attention after Hurricane Katrina,
President George W. Bush has ordered an investigation into the severity of
gas prices, according to a statement former White House Press Secretary Scott
McClellan gave to the Associated Press.
“
I think [gas prices are] more a profit thing,” Ramsey-Ackerson said. “I
think they use it as an excuse.”
Several students echo those sentiments and believe Bush’s call for an
investigation is simply a ploy to shut people up.
The effects of the high prices have yet to be seen on campus, other than the
universal emotional frustration, but the Parking and Transportation Services
are both curious to see what will happen during fall 2006.
“
There seems to be a lot more interest in alternative transportation amongst
the employees,” said CSULB Alternative Transportation Coordinator Christy
Hart. “So I’m sure the option is being considered by students.”
Carpool permits can be obtained free of charge with a valid parking permit
from Parking and Transportation Services.
To find the cheapest gas in the area, go to www.gasbuddy.com and enter a zip
code to find the latest gas prices in that area.
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