Gas prices rise again

Once again, gas prices are on the rise in Colorado. The average price for a regular gallon of gas in Boulder is $3.34. This is $0.70 higher than this time last year and the first time its been over $3.00 since 2008.

This spike is really taking a toll on commuters' bank accounts.

“Most people spend more than a third of their budget on transportation, more than they do on housing,” said George Gerstle, director of Boulder County’s transportation department. “So it’s really going to hit them hard and we’ll see more people struggling.”

The exact cause of the recent increase in fuel prices is hard to pinpoint but according to MSNBC, the prices are rising due to the current unrest in the Middle East.

If the price of gasoline continues to rise, many commuters will have to make adjustments in order to conserve fuel and save money.

Local government agencies are also looking to make changes in their fuel consumption habits.

“We’re looking for more fuel-efficient vehicles, doing whatever we can to reduce fuel consumption,” said Gerstle. “We’re using bio-diesel in all our heavy-duty diesel vehicles, our maintenance trucks, which helps a lot."

In a world of rising gas prices, there will be more people struggling and trying to find ways to save on expenses. Gerstle believes that many new trends will emerge such as a significant increase in bikers, utilizing the 100 miles of linked bike paths in Boulder, as well as carpooling.

Public transportation, such as the wide variety of local and regional bus routes, will most likely become a more frequent choice for commuters.

“The last time prices went up, transit ridership went up significantly. So that’s one trend we’ll likely see,” said Gerstle.