‘No unnecessary trips’: Here’s what readers have to say about rising gas prices
Most readers expressed frustration with rising prices, others saw it as only a minor inconvenience.
You might be hearing a lot about an increase in the price of gas recently and may have even seen its impact on your wallet the last time you filled up.
Boston.com recently asked readers if they were concerned with the recent rise in gas prices.
A majority (63%) of the 229 respondents to our survey said that they were concerned about spending more at the pump.
“Watching every mile now,” Bob F. from Tewksbury said. “No unnecessary trips.”
A little under a quarter (24%) of respondents said that they had little concern about the rise in prices, with many of them citing the greater issues in the world as why they saw spending more to fill up as a minor inconvenience.
“Annoying? Absolutely. A crisis? No way. The increase is definitely concerning for our poorest and most vulnerable citizens, but most of us should stop complaining,” Sara from Dedham said.
We also asked followers on our Facebook page how rising gas prices have affected them, resulting in over 800 comments. One top Facebook comment responded with, “Not terribly. I’m saving up my Stop and Shop go points to lower the price by $.90/gallon once my tank is on E.”
Below we share a sampling of what readers had to say about skyrocketing gas prices.
Responses are lightly edited for clarity.
Yes! I’m spending too much.
Readers are noticing the jump in prices, with many paying several dollars more to fill up.
“Too many price variances station by station limits my desire to go anywhere and spend any extra money, which in turn impacts local economy,” said Andrew from Boston.
“My vehicle is a fuel efficient hybrid, however I’m still paying $10 more than I was this past summer. I can’t imagine having to fill a big SUV or full-size pickup! Coworkers of mine are spending $100 a tank! It’s quickly wiping summer road trips and vacations off the list for them,” Cody from Chelsea said.
“I’m definitely paying more this week compared to last week. It cost me an extra $19 to fill my tank the other night, and it’s only going to get worse before it gets better. I’m trying to limit trips to stretch how long I can go before I need to fill up again,” M from Marshfield said.
Other readers said that they are concerned about the recent rise in gas prices, especially in situations where driving is their only choice.
“It sucks. I don’t work near public transportation so I don’t have a choice. I need my car to commute to work every day,” Serge from Middleton said.
“We have two young children (one in daycare and another in nursery school) so taking public transportation is not an option. Between the increase in gas prices and paying for parking, it is reaching a point where commuting to work doesn’t make financial sense. Right now it is costing me close to $150 a week to go to work,” a Boston.com reader from Bedford said.
One Facebook user has taken a more aggressive approach to dealing with their anger about extra costs at the pump.
“I resent my car and verbally abuse it now,” they said.
No, I’m not too concerned.
Some respondents said they have little concern about the rise in gas prices and will look for alternatives to driving to cushion the the impact on their wallet.
“I try not to drive at all except when I absolutely have to. I ride my bike and walk a lot more. I used to take the T but that’s been too frustrating and it takes to long. Walking and bike it the way to go,” Mo from Newton said.
“I use public transportation whenever possible. If more ppl would do the same we could cut back on gas consumption and the horrible traffic messes that happen here daily,” one unnamed Boston.com reader said.
“I’m more aware of my car trips and try to avoid single errand runs,” one Facebook user said. “My hybrid can go 25 miles on a charge and so I try to keep most trips within that range.”
Other readers weren’t concerned with the recent hike in prices at the pump and said it’s an inconvenience they can swallow to support Ukraine.
“No, I’m not concerned at all right now. We need to sacrifice a little in the wallet for Ukraine. We also should be moving to electric and hybrid vehicles (should have a long time ago),” Claire from Sudbury said. “Ukraine and democracy need us right now. Spare us the wall-to-wall media coverage about rising gas prices. Our grandparents and great grandparents sacrificed and saved during WWII and we’re currently in a war on democracy.”
“I am supporting Ukraine. Those people are dying. I can spend 5.00 a gallon if I have to stop Russian oil from crossing our shores. Pray for the Ukrainians,” Steve E. Yarmouth, ME.
“Fortunately, I have enough money that paying a few more dollars at the pump isn’t a problem. I’m retired and don’t do a whole lot of driving,” a Facebook user said. “I am more concerned about Ukraine.”
One reader had a solution to tackle more issues than just paying more at the pump.
“Buy an electric car and you won’t have to worry about the price of gas. Plus you’ll be helping the environment, and not helping Putin,” a Boston.com reader from Maine said.
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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