By Dennis O’Neil
In a time when gasoline prices are unpredictable for more than the 16,000 commuter students at the University of Louisville, the AP Food Market at the corner of Third and Winkler Streets consistently offered the lowest prices for unleaded gasoline, according to The Louisville Cardinal’s week long survey of five gasoline stations on and near the Belknap Campus.
The study observed afternoon and evening gasoline prices at five stations on week days from Feb. 1-9. The stations surveyed include the AP Station, the BP Station on Warnock St. and Arthur St. and three stations along Crittenden Drive, BP Station, Thorntons and Speedway.
The survey revealed that on five of the seven days of the survey, the AP was either the station or was one of the stations that offered the lowest prices. From Feb. 5-9, the AP steadily held regular gasoline prices at $2.15 per gallon, while other gasoline stations in the area were as high as $2.29 per gallon. On Feb. 10, the price at the AP was reported as low as $1.98 per gallon.
“I always find myself looking for the lowest gas prices,” said freshman Cindy Albright, who has not declared her major. “I always pass the AP station when I am on the shuttle but I have never stopped there. If their prices continue to be the lowest then I will definitely stop there and fill up.”
AP Food Market’s partner Shaji Balakrishnan said that because the owners are also its employees, gasoline prices can afford to be kept low for customers, particularly for U of L students.
“We’d like to pass along benefits to the students, as they aren’t generating any income just studying at the university,” said Balakrishnan. “We’d like to help them out as well as others in the community.”
AP’s management is planning to offer discounts to U of L students, such as an additional three cents off the price per gallon, according to Balakrishnan.
“I wasn’t really aware of the AP Station,” said education graduate student Jason Witt. “I would definitely be interested in filling up at a place that keeps consistently low prices.”
U of L economics professor John Vahaly said that the recent drop in oil prices reflects an increased supply and a reduced demand. He attributed the decline in demand to the ongoing mild winter weather, stating that this reduced price places pressure on all forms of energy.
“We are all, more or less, at the mercy of market forces here,” said Vahaly. “For now, prices are low and energy concerns are off the front page. When the dominating factors of increased demand or declining supply occur, the prices will rise again.”
But even if prices are lower than usual, students said that gasoline prices continue to play a significant role in their lives. U of L medical school student Scott Bickel said that he can spend anywhere from $25-40 a week to fill up his car.
“I think [gas prices] are a pretty big issue right now,” said Bickel. “They can be so volatile that it makes a big difference if you are a college student living largely on student loans or a summer job’s salary.”
Witt pointed out that current gasoline prices are all the more frustrating when one considers how low they used to be.
“When I was in high school, you could go a couple of days on five dollars,” said Witt. “Now just having enough fuel to carry you for a few days is a pretty heavy expenditure.”
“Five dollars of unleaded won’t get anyone very far these days,” Witt said.
