By Brittany Ruehling
For students like Anthony Smith, a way around the spike in gas prices is almost impossible to find.
“I have to go home almost every weekend for some reason or another,” Anthony Smith, a sophomore justice administration major, said. “The gas prices are killing me.”
This summer has seen Kentucky gas prices rise to an all-time high. Peaking at $4.27 a gallon on June 30, the average price of gas in Kentucky has since dropped to $3.65 a gallon.
According to Louisville’s AAA, citizens are fortunate.
“We can breathe a sigh of relief,” said Roger Boyd, a AAA agent. “Even though we had the spike in prices because of Labor Day weekend, we’re lucky we haven’t been slammed by costs due to Hurricane Gustav.”
Dean of Students Mike Mardis said he has noticed the number of bicyclists and skateboarders has multiplied.
“People just need to get fuel-efficient cars,” Ramsey Morton, sophomore finance major, said.
Some students say even that tactic is futile.
“It’s killing me,” said Cole Eidson, a senior psychology major, who added that even though his car gets about 30 miles to the gallon, the drive to his home in Bowling Green can be difficult. “By the end of the semester I can see it really affecting my bank account.”
Despite the surge in gas prices, Mardis said the number of out-of-state students and commuters has not noticeably fluctuated. He said the university is doing their best to provide all of their students with the most efficient ways to cut back using gas.
“Students have started making modifications of their time on and off campus,” said Mardis. “Students always have somewhere to stay, like in the library or the Student Activities Center. We’ve also made changes to the meal services so that the hours are longer and more convenient.”
Mardis also adds that TARC buses are available for commuters. Transportation is free with your Cardinal Card.
There are approximately 50 routes for students to use around campus.
For out-of-state students though, the options are scarcer.
“It’s so expensive to go home,” said Becky Lippert, a sophomore communication major, who added that her home in Wisconsin is 400 miles away and that she is only able to see her family a few times a year. “I see my parents on Christmas and when they help me move in and out.”
“It’s an inconvenience,” said freshman Pennsylvanian Amelia Motsch. “My dad will come visit me sometimes, but if gas was cheaper I’d be able to go home more often.”
According to Boyd, the Louisville area is near the national average of $3.68. AAA has found that there has only been a modest decline in travels, about one percent.
“People can feel it,” said Lippert. “Oh well. We’ll just keep driving.”?
