2008 Woodie Awards
Gas Hike Effects SHU Students
BY DIANA MUNIZStaff Writer
Issue date: 9/15/05 Section: News
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With gas prices at more than $3 a gallon in Connecticut and New York, some commuters may be leaving their cars for a seat on the train. Metro-North railroad started conducting passenger counts last week. So far, there has been an 11 percent increase from the year before, railroad spokesman Dan Brucker said.
Peter Beutel, the president of Cameron Hanover Inc., an energy risk-management firm in New Canaan said that several people he spoke to at Norwalk Community College told him they will now take the train to work and school instead of their cars.
"They find it costs less to take the train than it would to drive that much," he said.
Dan Lo Verde, (senior, Long Island, NY) said, "It seems like every time I look at the gas gauge it's time to fill up again. I definitely don't drive as much as I use to, the money issue is becoming a problem. Thank God I'm a classroom learning assistant; that helps a little with the expense. I don't have to be shelling out 60 bucks every time I want to fill up."
There are ways to help reduce the amount of gas one uses, here are some tips how: Driving more efficiently- aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds; sensible driving is also safer for you and others.
According to Fuel Economy Guides, gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas.
In addition, remove excess weight by avoiding having unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. Also, using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
Keeping your car in shape can help your gas mileage as well: remembering to keep your engine properly tuned, checking and replacing air filters regularly and keeping tires properly inflated.
Combining errands into one trip can save time and money instead of doing several short trips that can use twice as much gas. With a little planning, you can avoid retracting your rate and reduce the distance you travel as well, not only saving fuel but reducing future wear and tear on your car.