Considering America's current economic state - a recession, some experts say - the rising gas prices are a daily reminder for many citizens that only compound this status. Five members of the Portland, Maine community tell their story of how rising gas prices are affecting their livelihoods.
(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) TAXI CAB CONFESSIONS - Walter Davenport, owner of Elite Taxi, says the increase in gas prices greatly affects his transportation company. / Walter Davenport, owner of Elite Taxi, says the increase in gas prices greatly affects his transportation company. “Gas has gone up over a dollar since last year. That’s a 33 percent increase, so we need all the help we can get, yes.” Davenport says a proposal in the city of Portland, which will be put before city council in a few weeks, to increase the initial drop charge from $1.90 to $2.20 is a step in the right direction. “That means that we’re getting and extra 30 cents with every trip, not 30 cents on every mile, so I’m not too sure. It’s a very good start, because it’s a difficult situation.” However, he fears losing his frequent riders with any price increase. “All kinds of people take cabs, you know, very poor people and people that don’t have cars, all of that. They’re our frequent riders, so starting to push everything off on them is very difficult. It’s just a shame to be part of the fact that everybody has to go up in price when we know what that is which is causing inflation and that hurts everybody. So I guess that’s just the reality.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)* * *
(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) CRAB APPLES - Andi Flagg, clerk at the Big Apple Food Store and Gulf gas station on Congress Street, says customers are quick to point out the increasing gas prices when they come into the store to pay. / Andi Flagg, clerk at the Big Apple Food Store and Gulf gas station on Congress Street, says customers are quick to point out the increasing gas prices when they come into the store to pay. “Customers are cranky everybody’s crabbing. Seems like we’re doing a price change on the pumps every other day – up, down, up down. It varies, depends on what the other gas stations are doing. Like I said the customers get cranky. They never know what to expect, whether it’s going to be something that technically isn’t reasonable and want to know why it’s cheaper in Ohio and cheaper in other states than it is here. I think we need to put a crying towel out there. There’s several customers that would like to see one there. I don’t think the head office would appreciate it, but oh well.” Flagg reminds customers that the price affects everyone. “It affects all, I mean everybody. Even we have to travel to get to work and it bothers us too. We’ve got to pay way too much for way too little.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)* * *
(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) CARPENTRY CALLS - Kevin Kane, a local carpenter, stops into the Big Apple and Gulf gas station on Congress Street to purchase a snack, not gas, and says the increasing fuel prices affect the bids he calculates for his jobs. / Kevin Kane, a local carpenter, stops into the Big Apple and Gulf gas station on Congress Street to purchase a snack, not gas, and says the increasing fuel prices affect the bids he calculates for his jobs. “I try not to drive as much as possible. If I’m going to make a trip I make sure I make it an efficient trip. I go to a certain place where I know whether gas is going to be cheap and there would be a lumber store nearby, and normally I wouldn’t if it was like $1.99, but you pretty much worry about the gas prices because it affects everything. Kane explains, “If you bid a project, for instance you don’t think about putting all that gas in there until it hits up to that and then you actually have to factor in the gas prices into your bid. I’ll factor in how many trips am I going to be making to the lumber store. And normally you wouldn’t really worry about it too much, but when you’re hauling lumber and all that you pretty much have to just because it’s so expensive.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)* * *
(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) SMALL MONEY BAGS FOR STUDENTS - Emily Godan, a student at University of Southern Maine, realizes gas prices will be cutting deeper into her pocket when she moves out of town. / Emily Godan, a student at University of Southern Maine, realizes gas prices will be cutting deeper into her pocket when she moves out of town. “I live right here in Portland, so it’s kind of helpful, but soon I’m going to be moving to Old Orchard, so I’ll have to be commuting 20 miles each way and I’ve lived there in the past so it definitely hits you hard in your money bags.” For now, Godan walks and carpools where possible, but says being a full-time student poses the challenge of keeping a steady income. “I walk to work when it’s not too freezing or when I don’t have too much to carry. I’ll probably walk to school when it’s not so cold out also. I ride to work with my roommate, who works with me, whenever possible. It’s hard though ‘cause I can’t be working a lot, because I’m going to school full time, so I don’t have a lot of money to spare. The rising gas prices is definitely not good. Even a couple weeks ago it was getting down around three dollars and that was kind of hopeful, but it’s taken a quick turn in the other direction.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)* * *
(March 10, 2008 - PORTLAND, ME) THOSE WERE THE DAYS - After filling her car up with gas, Kim Floyd, owner of Spirited Gourmet, leaves the Big Apple Food Store and Gulf gas station on Congress Street. / Kim Floyd, owner of the local restaurant Spirited Gourmet, says although she drives a company car, she still understands the impact of increasing gas prices. “Gas prices affect me. I’ve actually moved to town in the last year. I was living outside of town and I spent probably an extra $100 a week on gas, and I think it’s outrageous. Gas, oil, diesel, everything – it’s definitely affecting our economy. For my day to day, I use a company car, so company pays for the gas.” Floyd longs for the old days when gas was considerably cheaper. “I’m not very happy with it. It could definitely be better. I liked when it was 99 cents a gallon, not almost four, “ she says laughing. “Those were the days.” ABC affiliate WMTW reported today the state average for the price of a gallon of gas is $3.24, which is 15 cents higher than last month's average and two cents higher than the current national average. (Photo by Whitney J. Fox)* * *
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