Readers who participate in The Herald’s Reader Network are dealing with high gas prices in different ways. Here is a sampling of their responses:
We are retired and feel the pinch of high gas prices.
We have slowed down to 55-60 mph max. (Causes some backups behind us; not many others seem to feel as we do.) We’re also taking the Seahawks Sounder to the games in Seattle. It’s a great trip, and very economical for us seniors. We’re also thinking twice about making unnecessary trips around the area.
Ron Holmwall, Arlington
I have changed my driving habits in some ways. I now try to combine trips to save on gas, even if it means that my kids have to change their plans. Gone are the “on-demand” taxi trips that were given out much too freely by this mom.
I actually have tried to calm my driving a little also. I am now usually willing to concede the 0-to-60 mph race with the car beside me – as painful as that is – in an effort to save on gas.
Brenda Lovejoy, Everett
I am definitely driving slower on the freeway. At this point, even pennies count.
I don’t use mass transit yet because I don’t have a work commute at this time.
Lisa Thompson, Marysville
Starting Monday, I am carpooling with a co-worker. With three children, I have concerns about losing transportation flexibility and inconveniencing both (the co-worker) and me, so we’re considering the month of October a trial period.
If it works, great. If not, maybe I’ll start drilling in my yard and hope I strike oil.
Diane McRae, Marysville
My driving habits were already changed long before Mr. Bush asked us to do so. I now think about trips to the store before I take off.
The first question I ask myself is, “Can I do this tomorrow when I also have to pick up such and such?”
Chuck Wright, Mill Creek
I have changed my driving habits somewhat. If I have to run errands, I try to group as many of them into one trip as possible rather than go every day.
Mass transit does not work for me because of my location. While driving alone seems to be a no-no nowadays, that seems to be the most convenient thing to do at times.
Jake Ritland, Marysville
Gas prices won’t get me out of my car unless public transit starts running buses past my house to where I want to go.
My nearest bus stop is 2.2 miles away, and then there are very few routes and convenient times to choose from. I try to combine errands into one trip, but I did that even before gas prices went up.
Nora Martinez, Bothell
Gas prices have really affected me. It costs me roughly $6 per day round trip to get to work and back. As a result, I will be riding the bus three days per week to try and save money.
I figure I will save about $37 per month by riding the bus 12 out of 22 working days. I may ride the bus even more that.
Lea Bowers, Edmonds
I’ve notified my carpool that if gas prices hit $5 per gallon, I will begin taking either the bus or the train to work.
Vaughn Blethen, Marysville
No mass transit for us. Not convenient for what we do. We’re trying to cut back on leisure driving.
Fred Hawley, Edmonds
I have been riding the bus for years, so my driving habit hasn’t changed. Even though I drive and have a car and motorcycle, I still take public transit to work. I save a lot of gas this way.
Don Marable, Marysville
I hadn’t planned on changing my habits, because I was part of a carpool. However, now my carpool partner may no longer be at the same location, and I am unable to afford the combination of gas prices and parking passes.
I have been driving to the park and ride and taking the bus in the rest of the way (it only takes about one-third the amount of gas for the week as driving). I use Community Transit currently, as it is the only logical option to get to the UW from Everett. The Sounder would be great if there was a way to not backtrack (go all the way into downtown, then take a bus to the UW).
Wendy L. Roullier, Everett
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