By snoadmin
Gas prices have gone up more than 45 cents per gallon in the past month, and many Cal State Long Beach students have had to figure out strategies to cut down on gasoline consumption.
According to an online monthly survey by the American Automotive Association (AAA), the average gas price in Long Beach has risen from $2.599 per gallon of regular gasoline at the Feb. 13 mark to $3.065 per gallon on March 13. By comparison, the same report found that 2006 saw a change from $2.593 per gallon on Feb. 14 to $2.596 per gallon on March 14. Another data report from AAA said that the average gas price in Long Beach Tuesday was $3.176 per gallon, up more than 11 cents from March 13.
Average gas prices in Long Beach as of March 13
are lower than those of Southern California as a whole, according to the statistics from AAA. Southern California prices averaged $3.101 per gallon as of that date; prices in nearby cities Anaheim and Inglewood were $3.020 per gallon and $3.072 per gallon, respectively.
“Retail prices differ by the location and the amount of competition,” said Economics Department Chairman Joseph P. Magaddino. He said areas that have more stations, like Long Beach, might have lower prices due to the competition. He also said areas where there are few stations have less of a reason to lower prices.
“They also reflect the kind of gasoline establishments,” he said. He cited firms like Arco, which accept cash and debit (but not credit cards) as forms of payment, as establishments that could have an effect on the differences in gas prices.
Junior environmental science and policy major Shannon Hood said she rides her bicycle to avoid the high fuel prices.
“I think [the high price] is a good thing if it will encourage us to put more money into more sustainable forms of fuel,” Hood said.
“I try not to go anywhere,” said junior international studies major Kerry Jones.
While some students do go out of their ways to find lower priced gas or cut down on their fuel use, others continue driving like they would if prices were lower.
“I drive as normally as I would,” said senior communications major Jason Crossland, adding that he would “try to make more money” to pay the higher price.
Many students have noticed that the gasoline prices around campus seem higher than in other neighborhoods.
“There’s a lot of traffic with the university and freeways nearby,” Magaddino said.
Tuesday afternoon the Arco station at the intersection of Bellflower Boulevard and Atherton Street priced gas at $3.13 per gallon of regular gasoline and the Union 76 Station at Bellflower Boulevard and E. Abbeyfield Street listed a gallon of regular gasoline at $3.15.
