Gas prices and driving habits

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Gas prices have been inching up for a long time, but the recent spike
is, for the first time, changing the way many of us get around. There
are big increases in public transportation ridership in and car dealers
say the SUV is out and the gas efficient car is in. How are gas prices
changing your driving and buying habits? (Listen) 

Also in the program, we hear about the gas
shortages of the early 1970s and a novel Vermont plan to reduce long
lines back then. (Listen)

Plus a visit with a family that hopes someday to grow
most of its own food. (Listen)

 

AP Photo/Toby Talbot

 

LISTENER COMMENTS ON GAS PRICES:

Bruce from South Burlington

People can save money by:
– NOT idling. You get ZERO MPG when you
aren’t moving and vehicles pollute most at idle. Turn it off.
– Slowing down on the Interstate. In rough numbers, if you drive 55 MPH on the Interstate, you will use
33% less gas (and spend 33% less MONEY) than if you drive 75 MPH. If
you drive 55 MPH instead of 65 MPH, you will use 15% less gas. Yes it
will take more time, there is no free lunch.
People might also be interested to know that their mileage has recently dropped about 2.5% since
we are now forced to buy E10 [10 percent ethanol] gas. Thus, their cost per mile has
increase by 2.5%. At $4/gallon, the equivalent cost is an additional 10
cents per gallon. In addition, the companies that blend the ethanol
with gasoline get a 51 cent per gallon subsidy (proposed to drop to 45
cents in the new farm bill). That money comes from our taxes. If we
assume it is paid from the 18.5 cent/gallon federal gas tax, the true
cost per gallon of E10 is 15 cents per gallon higher than real gas. 10
cents from our wallets and 5 cents not available to spend on road
repair.

Christina from Middlebury

I miss the Vermont Transit route that used to run through Middlebury to
Rutland and Burlington and then on to New York City, Boston, or
Montreal. For long-distance trips to larger cities, Middlebury-area
residents now have to get a ride to Rutland or Burlington, and the
local public transportation schedules to do match the long-distance
buses and trains.

Scott from Shelburne

I was in london a few years ago, and marveled over he price. After converting pound to dollar, and liter to gallon, the price was in the range of $7/gal. The public transportation system is much better in Europe, in part due to these prices. Perhaps the recent increase in American fuel prices will help us develop our public transportation systems to rival Europe’s.

Linda in Guilford

Why not use school buses as a temporary measure for public transportation? Every town has ’em and they sit unused days and hours and months at a time.

Alisa in Burlington

We just purchased a used car, and although we walk to work as much as
we can (which is usually a few days a week), we figured that all of a
sudden our $300 a month Outback, which gets decent-mileage, is now
about $500 per month with the price of gas. So although we tried to
find a used car which took veggie oil or a hybrid, which was used and
under $300 per month for car payments, and couldn’t, we’re now
realizing that it would have been quite a steal even if it was $400 or
$450 p/m, as a new car!

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