Hollister
– Local resident Brenton Johnson said that after more than a
month on disability leave, he’s dreading his return to work on
Monday – but not for the reason you think.
Hollister – Local resident Brenton Johnson said that after more than a month on disability leave, he’s dreading his return to work on Monday – but not for the reason you think.
Johnson said that without the need to commute, he’s been able to sit out the dramatic spike in gas prices – an increase of 25 cents in the last month alone, and 79 cents since the beginning of the year. On Monday, however, Johnson is going to drive to and from Cisco Systems in northern San Jose once again, a daily commute of 120 miles.
To save gas, Johnson said he’s going stop driving his Mustang to work. Instead, he plans to take his motorcycle.
“I can probably get 40 to 45 miles per gallon,” he said.
A local average of $3.34 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas means that even with the improved mileage, Johnson will still have to pay more than $50 for a week’s commute.
And of course, not everyone gets that kind of mileage. Terry Ferrero, owner of Royal Flush Plumbing, said his company’s trucks – which come loaded with plumbing equipment – get about five miles to the gallon.
Ferrero said he used to consider gas prices to be just another part of his overhead. But as prices have increased in recent years, he’s started asking customers to cover the cost. Rather than trying to keep up with rapidly fluctuating prices, Ferrero said he’s charging Hollister customers a flat $4 fee.
“They understand that it’s a part of business,” he said.
According to a report from the American Automobile Association of Northern California, the average gas price for both Northern California and the entire state is $3.34 per gallon. That’s four cents short of the statewide record high average of $3.38, which was set on May 18, 2006.
Even in July 2006, when statewide prices had dropped slightly, Hollisterites could find gas available for $3.13 per gallon. Now the cheapest gas in town is going for $3.28.
Hollister resident Brianna DiNapoli said the high prices have given her an aversion to purchasing gas.
“I’ll wait until I absolutely have to buy,” she said.
In the past, AAA spokesman Sean Comey has urged drivers to use less fuel as a way to keep prices from rising. Betty Yee, chairwoman of the state board of equalization, recently reported that drivers have actually started cutting back: In 2006, Californians used 112 million fewer gallons in 2006 than they did in 2005, the first decrease since 1992.
However, in the AAA’s report, Comey said a number of factors are keeping prices high, including delays in switching from winter to summer fuel, unplanned production problems and the high cost of crude oil.
“What California needs right now is reliable refinery production combined with a continued demand for lower fuel,” Comey said. “Those are the key ingredients in a recipe for some relief from the current situation.”
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or ah*@fr***********.com.
