$3.94 for gas....

[Jennifer823]

I am one for public transportation. I cannot believe the amount of work (ongoing) that is put into crappy roads here. After every thaw, they seemingly have to replace the road. Rails would be cheaper!
I always think to myself about public transportation when I sit in a traffic jam. I cannot believe that each one of these individuals is responsible for commanding their own vehicle when we're all in a line like that. The 30 cars in this jam up would be the equivalent to a few train cars, or one bus. MONORAIL ANYONE?
Think about public transportation, the next time youre waiting from Grandma Ethel to realize the LIGHT IS GREEN!!
I lost friends ( a family of 4, 5 if you count the dog) because someone didnt look both ways at a stop sign. (it wasnt any of the 5, by the way) And then this year, another CLOSE friend lost control in the snow.
Public Transportation. Study what the auto manufacturers did in Cleveland in the 30's with the public transportation. The auto companies have put us in this mess, as well as having the blood of many american's on their hands.
Monorail. Walt did it, why cant my MAYOR?

I totally agree with you. I don't understand these people who argue that we don't have it so bad, because in Europe they pay $8/gal or whatever.. well, in Europe they don't HAVE to drive. You can walk or bike to the store, school, church, whatever. Or, you can take the train or the bus. We can't all do that here in the US. In my town, pedestrians are run down all the time. DH has a coworker who bought a scooter to get himself to work because of the gas prices - next day he gets in a bad accident and breaks a leg! I'd love to be able to walk to the grocery store - but I'd endanger myself and my kids walking three miles on a two lane road with a speed limit of 50 MPH with no sidewalk and no really no shoulder, even. At this point, I wish we lived in a city and didn't need a car. I'd LOVE the opportunity to take public transportation!

 

[eliza61]

I totally agree with you. I don't understand these people who argue that we don't have it so bad, because in Europe they pay $8/gal or whatever.. well, in Europe they don't HAVE to drive. You can walk or bike to the store, school, church, whatever. Or, you can take the train or the bus. We can't all do that here in the US. In my town, pedestrians are run down all the time. DH has a coworker who bought a scooter to get himself to work because of the gas prices - next day he gets in a bad accident and breaks a leg! I'd love to be able to walk to the grocery store - but I'd endanger myself and my kids walking three miles on a two lane road with a speed limit of 50 MPH with no sidewalk and no really no shoulder, even. At this point, I wish we lived in a city and didn't need a car. I'd LOVE the opportunity to take public transportation!

But who's fault is that? Our? case in point. My township just put in a new H.S., the town council wanted to install sidewalks so the kids could walk to school.
1) property taxes would lower because they could reduce the # of school buses they have to hire (or if any thing, they could use that money else where ) They had estimated a 10% drop in the number of buses.

2) Road congestion would go down during rush hour because now you don't have as many school buses. Plus you don't have teens on the road driving to school.
You should have seen the town meetings and the outcry. All the parents screeming because they did not want their little darlings walking to school. Which makes me laugh. You will let a 16 yo behind the wheel of a 3000 lb car but he can't cross the street safely? or God forbid, they actually have to walk to school in the rain. These were H.s. kids we're talking about. 1/2 of them go to school close to butt naked.

I'm one of those who have little sympathy for us. WE created this situation. As a country we are a bit spoiled and narrow minded. Average american family has 2 1/2 cars. For years we have been getting warning signs about our fuel consumption, global warming & other environmental issues. Now the the crap has hit the fan, we're panicking.

 

[mickeymom1976]

Unfotunately I seriously believe it will get to $5.00/gallon before years end. At this rate, it will probably be cheaper for me to go back to Horse and buggy. How much can feed cost anyway?

I was just talking about this yesterday. With the cost of corn also going through the roof, the feed is probably as expensive as the gasoline. I agree that it will probably be easily $5 by year's end.

At the station at the bottom of the hill from our house, gasoline prices went up 20 cents over night, from $2.59 to $2.79. I'm afraid of what it probably is this morning. Hopefully, after this holiday weekend, they will go down some.

 

[Brer Rabbit]

http://hsgac.senate.gov/public/_files/052008Masters.pdf

deep, but good reading

 

[CarolA]

I totally agree with you. I don't understand these people who argue that we don't have it so bad, because in Europe they pay $8/gal or whatever.. well, in Europe they don't HAVE to drive. You can walk or bike to the store, school, church, whatever. Or, you can take the train or the bus. We can't all do that here in the US. In my town, pedestrians are run down all the time. DH has a coworker who bought a scooter to get himself to work because of the gas prices - next day he gets in a bad accident and breaks a leg! I'd love to be able to walk to the grocery store - but I'd endanger myself and my kids walking three miles on a two lane road with a speed limit of 50 MPH with no sidewalk and no really no shoulder, even. At this point, I wish we lived in a city and didn't need a car. I'd LOVE the opportunity to take public transportation!

I have traveled a lot in Europe. No, not everyone there lives in a place where they can take public transport. There's a lot of "rural" just like there is here.

However, an SUV Is something that is OUT of place there and stands out. Folks drive smaller more fuel efficent cars. Try buying a Diesel engine car here! (Yes diesel cost more but those cars get good mileage. I have driven them) I generally rent a compact and my car in Europe is average sized.

 

[grumpalina]

$4.29 in my neighborhood yesterday morning