Not even during the height of the initial Ukraine situation did gas prices breach the magical seven dollar mark. Quite a few times the cost of premium at my local Chevron station rested at $6.999, but never above that. Until now. For reasons I can only find as “refinery issues” - it’s always refinery issues - the signpost at that Chevron now reads $7.099 for a gallon of 91 octane. I’m so glad I filled up at $6.959 just the week before.
For a car that sits stationary for most of the week. I’m fortunate that I can walk to work during this period of insane inflation. I cannot fathom what it’s like for people who have to commute by car. What can they do but pay up, honestly? It’s not like they can simply stop using their cars. Public transportation is notorious not great around here. Buses arriving in 10 minute intervals in considered optimal during commute hours!? And that is if the bus even comes on time.
This isn’t Japan, where rush hour trains arrive in three minute intervals, and almost always on time.
No one is going to subject themselves to the public transport experience once they are so used to driving. Being stuck is traffic is still better than longingly waiting for a bus that may never come. Not to mention, you’re going to be late. Grumble they may about high fuel costs, but there’s really no other option. Buying a more fuel-efficient car or a fully electric-vehicle isn’t the solution, either. Because you have to account for the entire cost of the whole car. Imagine how many gallons of gas (let’s say) $30,000 can buy!
Good news is our union have negotiated a one time 7% raise for its members. Bad news is all of that new money will go towards covering the existing inflation. It’s not just gas prices, right? Practically everything purchasable have increased in price. Except for the new iPhones, which curiously have stayed the same price as the previous years. Lucky me.
Away from the crowd.