Gas prices effecting commuters

cheapest gas.”Also, it has become a consistent scene at the end of the week as I watch commuters bitterly get into their cars and head towardsthe gas station dreading to figure out what the damages are going to be as they purchasetheir gas.

‘Do you speak English?’

Beep, beep beep is a noise that I have become accustomed toevery week as I head off to school.

No, that noise is not the sound of my alarm clock waking me up for school.Instead, it is thegas l ight in my car thatalways seems to be lit or the noise of the ATM machinefrom which I am forced to withdraw money from asIpay for gas.Hurricanes Katrina and Ritahave pushed gas prices to record highs and stirred a different kind of storm: frustration and anger in the commuter parking lot.

Somestudents are altering their routines, going out less or even going to therapy as gas prices begin to their ruinbudgets. All overthe campus parking lotit is not uncommon to hear, statements such as, “Hess has the

All the money that I have worked so hard for does not go to the newarticles of clothing I want or the new car I need.No longer can I go on random road trips before having to contemplate the massive amount of moneyI will have to save to provide for my gas. I think all commuters can relate when I say it’sfrustrating as I fill my gas tank every week and watch my paycheck being dumped right into my gas tank.

Ihave triedvarious modes of transportation to savemyself from the depression of filling my gas tank but in the end I am forced to drive.Luckily, I have been given great advice by other commuters suchas trying alternate routes and word on where the best prices for gas are. Nonetheless, I am forced to keep atight budget as I am constantly reminded that I have to save for gas.

As if paying a ton for gas is not enough, I dread going to the gas stations because as I pump mygas I am treated like a possible criminal. I can honestly say that I do not mind paying before pumping my gas. I completely respect the gas companies who have required customers to pay before they pump their gas. However, I do mind being treated like a criminal. Although most of the drive-offs that do occur are committed by younger people, I wish that some gas stations would keep in mind that it is not all people of younger age who commit this crime.

It is a shame that students such as myself, have fallen into situations where gas attendants accusingly stare at us or breathe down our necks in fear of us driving-off without paying for our gas.

Although hurricane Rita didn’t pack Katrina’s punch, some analysts say the aftershock could be enough to keep gasoline prices high for a while. If I were ever to witness a gas sign that indicated gas prices weregoing tobe decreased I think I would be in all my glory. Until then, if ever,commuters, realize you’re not alone in your struggle of paying for gas.