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<< Previous   of   Next >> Michael O'Leary  (click to enlarge) Alan Shank plans to start his daily commute from his home in Mukilteo to his job in Lakes Stevens this week. Shank is taking a spinning class now to get in shape for his commute. (click to enlarge)   ADVERTISEMENT   Readers tips Here's how other members of the Herald's Reader Network said they could be affected if gasoline prices reach $4 a gallon: "I'm lucky because I walk to work, so my daily routine will not change at all. I already try and combine trips in the car to include several errands. I already take the Community Transit bus to the airport whenever possible, and have been taking a bus to downtown Seattle to see plays as well." Pat Cudinski, Everett "As I am retired, on a fixed income, it would also affect my grocery bill, shopping for clothes, going to the movies, etc., which would in return affect the retailers. I would not buy a smaller car, as the price would not equate the value saved. Just cut back on driving. I believe those who work should take either transit, Sounder, or carpool to lessen the congestion on our roads and freeways. What with tax and gas increases, it amazes me how anyone has any money left over for the fun things in life." Margaret Bright, Lake Stevens "If we drive 2,000 miles a month, averaging 20 miles per gallon, that is 100 gallons of gas. If the price goes up a buck a gallon that is an increase of $100 per month in our expenses. It won't destroy our budget but we would rather spend the money on something else. This creep of gas prices over the past year combined with the costs of other things going up creates a sense of uncertainty that makes me uncomfortable." Howard Bono, Arlington "We have cut back from two cars to one, which we now share, saving gas. My husband ... is doing the grocery shopping, saving many dollars." Alisan Kacoroski, Granite Falls "I do not own a car anymore. Could not afford it. However, other prices are going up too and I am finding I have to make choices on groceries to buy and transportation prices when needed as they are all going up too." Margaret Ford, Lynnwood "I always keep driving to a minimum, even when gas was less expensive. I walk and bicycle. The question should be, at what price will people stop or be prohibited from driving, and is the city, county and state transportation people and systems prepared for this?" Michael Dahlstrom, Everett "I've already given some consideration to finding a 'commuter car' that gets better mileage than what I've already got. ... I do think that some quick research and/or solutions need to be put together that would create a better desire to utilize public transit. In my scenario, it would take over four hours, one way, on three buses, for me to get from Frontier Village to south Lynnwood to get to work." Alan Haynes, Lake Stevens   Related Stories • Consumer spending goes to the movies 3/9/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, March 9, 2008 Ways to trim your gas bill As the price of gas inches closer to $4 a gallon, area residents are thinking outside the filling station. By Eric Fetters Herald Writer Alan Shank knows he can get to work without burning a drop of gasoline. He tried it last year on his "ancient" Schwinn bicycle. Now, in anticipation of $4-a-gallon gasoline this spring and summer, he's been faithfully attending spinning classes to get his pedaling power in shape. He also has purchased a new 24-speed bike, with hopes of commuting from his Mukilteo home to his Lake Stevens-area office on two wheels. "It's better than my old Schwinn," Shank said last week. "I'm anxious to see if my fitness routine will cut down my time, so I can do this every day." No one's predicting everyone will take to bicycles this summer if gasoline prices continue to move upward. But the prospect of sky-high gasoline prices is likely to prompt more to change some driving habits. A year ago, the average price for a gallon of gasoline was just more than $2.60 a gallon. It topped out last May around $3.45 a gallon, a record it overtook this past week. Following the usual spring run-up in prices, it seems unavoidable that prices will surpass $4 a gallon by summer. Many members of The Herald's Reader Network said that level has them thinking seriously about cutting back on their driving. They're not alone: A recent survey done for by The Nielsen Co. found 70 percent of U.S. consumers are combining around-town driving for errands and shopping, while 39 percent said they're just staying home more often. An estimated 65 percent of American car owners said they will "dramatically change" their driving behavior if gas hits $4 a gallon, according to a study for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association. "Ever since gas hit $3.50 a gallon, our household has dramatically cut back on our driving," said Catherine Wilson of Monroe. "I work outside of the home two days a week, and I run my errands on my way to and from work, and we don't go for long drives or to the mall much anymore." She added her family is looking to buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle this year. Jerry Stansfield of Everett said he's more glad than ever that he's not commuting every day. "For the past seven years, I have been working at home as the owner of a business that requires only occasional travel," Stansfield said, estimating he's cut his household consumption of fuel by 60 to 70 percent. Still, he walks or rides his bicycle whenever possible. Jerome Don Marable of Marysville said he's even thinking twice about riding his fuel-efficient motorcycle these days. "I already ride transit, been doing it for close to 20 years now. So that won't change," he said. "I don't drive that much to begin with, now that the kids have left the house." Others also said they are riding the bus or Sounder's commuter train more these days. Community Transit's ridership numbers show they're not alone, said spokesman Tom Pearce. "They're very strong. We're continuing to see growth," said Pearce, adding that ridership grew 7 percent in 2007, compared to 2006. In January, ridership was up another 8 percent compared to a year ago. Three of the transit service's five top months in terms of all-time ridership have come since last fall. That includes last October, which saw an all-time high of 968,654 passengers riding buses. Others can't realistically earn a living without their cars, even as gasoline gets more expensive. "Since I live in Everett and commute to north Seattle, my cost of commuting will go up dramatically. I must have my car at work, as I am in outside client relations, and driving is just a part of my job," said Julie Brown. Diane McRae of Marysville said she has a Honda Civic and a short commute of just 7 miles, so she's not sure how to cut back driving any more. To deal with higher prices, she's deferring maintenance on her car, which she knows isn't a good strategy. Terri Anne Beauchamp said she's just dealing with the prices, too. "I do not think it will have any bearing on my driving habits, since almost all driving I do is necessary, such as going back and forth to work and going to doctor appointments," the Everett resident said. "Public transport is not an option, since I work the graveyard shift and public transit is not set up to accommodate night workers such as myself." So far, it hasn't affected business at Donna's Travel Plaza, a busy hub along I-5 in Marysville. "We're still seeing the same number of trucks on the road," said Brian Couch, who oversees the fueling station at the business. "Everyone needs the basics." But, he said, higher demand for biodiesel -- which Donna's sells -- is raising the price of that fuel along with regular diesel and gasoline. In recent years, when fuel prices have gone up, people typically have grumbled about them, but described them more as an annoyance than a real burden. That seems to be changing, however, as many Reader Network members said they are feeling the strain on their household budgets, especially with prices also rising for groceries and other household products -- in part because of higher transportation costs. "I will reduce spending on extras. My favorite coffees will be the first to go," said Marilyn Matthews of Marysville. "We will probably eat out less often unless we happen to be out doing other errands at the time, and then it will probably be only at lower priced restaurants," said Jake Ritland of Marysville. Becky Skaggs, a spokeswoman for Haggen stores, said fuel costs are part of the mix pushing food prices upward. Production of biodiesel and ethanol also has raised prices for corn and soybeans, basic ingredients for that fuel, in turn raising prices for things such as cereal. Skaggs added gas prices and the resulting financial pinch can affect what groceries people buy, not just how much they might buy. "As people drive less, there appears to be some changing in eating habits. People are eating out less and cooking more at home," she said. Chuck Wright of Mill Creek said he's one of those cutting dinners out and specialty foods, along with "holiday gift giving, theater attendance ... and other luxuries" to help offset fuel bills. "We definitely are not going on a vacation. Prices are too high. My parents live in California and haven't come to visit me in three years now because of the prices," Anita Rutherford of Stanwood said. Shank, who's thinking of starting his bicycle commuting this week, said he's eager to see how much he can save by keeping his car parked at least a few days a week. "It's amazing how much that daily commute adds up." Reporter Eric Fetters: 425-339-3453 or fetters@heraldnet.com

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