Hollister
– You can almost hear Hollister residents breathing a collective
sigh of relief – local gas prices have fallen below $3 a gallon,
but some community members are still cautious about what the future
holds for their pocketbooks.
Hollister – You can almost hear Hollister residents breathing a collective sigh of relief – local gas prices have fallen below $3 a gallon, but some community members are still cautious about what the future holds for their pocketbooks.
“I really think it will go back up again,” Tiffany Martinez said while filling up her car Monday morning.
Local gas prices averaged around $2.99 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline Monday. The cheapest advertised price was $2.97 per gallon at Hometown Gas and the most expensive was $3.11 at the Chevron station located on Nash and McCray streets.
While consumers may be feeling some relief at the pump, there is still some disparity between what Hollister residents and those in neighboring communities are paying. According to AAA’s online gas price tracking service, prices in Gilroy are as low as $2.95 for a gallon of regular unleaded gas, and as low as $2.86 in Salinas. According to the most recent figures from the Energy Information Administration, the statewide average is $3.09, compared to the national average of $2.84.
“I work in Salinas, so it seems like I’m constantly filling up my tank,” Martinez said. “But I buy my gas here (at Safeway) because this is where I do my grocery shopping, so that’s kind of a perk.”
There are a number of reasons why gas prices vary from one city to another, AAA spokesman Sean Comey said.
“Fuel companies have what they call ‘zone pricing,'” he said. “They look at the economics of the geographic area, the relative income levels of the people working there, the competition, really a variety of factors. So it’s important to shop aggressively for the lowest price.”
The statewide average record high price of $3.38 was set on May 18 this year, according to AAA. The cost seems to have had a minimal effect on local residents’ plans, however.
“The difference isn’t that much,” local resident Frank Bavaro said. “The biggest impact has been the change in electricity costs. With gas you’re only paying a few extra bucks at a time.”
In fact, Comey said, more people chose to hit the road this holiday weekend than in 2005.
“Our research shows that leisure travel is up slightly over the holiday weekend compared to last year,” he said. “Which shows you that people still put a high value on their vacation time despite prices.”
Their travel habits, however, have changed considerably.
“People are changing their strategy,” Comey said. “They’re staying closer to home and they are taking fewer vacation days.”
The good news is that, barring a natural disaster or severe worsening of the political climate in the Middle East, consumers will probably continue to see gas prices fall, albeit slowly.
“It is reasonable to expect a continued decline in price, but of course that is subject to change,” Comey said.
Comey stressed that taking care of one’s car is one of the best ways to keep gas expenses to a minimum.
“Routine maintenance can do a lot to improve fuel efficiency,” he said. “Simple things like keeping your tires inflated and making sure your air filter is clean and works properly can go a long way.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected].
