Rising gas prices have Atlantans seeking commuting options
This time of year, refineries switch their fuel blends, driving gas prices up. Increasing tensions with Iran are also contributing to the pain you’re feeling at the pump. Patrick deHaan, a senior petroleum analyst with Gasbuddy.com, says nationally, gas prices are expected to hit $4.15 a gallon by May.
“Prices could go even higher in Atlanta for the fact that the metro area uses this cleaner burning summer gasoline.”
That’s not great news for Atlanta commuters. Recent census data shows just 3% of metro Atlanta workers use public transit to get to work. Most rely on their cars.
Executive director of the Clean Air Campaign, Tedra Cheatham, offers this statistic.
“For the average metro Atlantan, about an hour of their salary each day goes to pay for their commute costs.”
Atlantans can look to the Clean Air Campaign for incentives for carpooling, teleworking, and other alternatives.
“Those commute participants can earn $3/day each day they use a clean commute, up to $100 over an assigned period of time.”
Cheatham says the Clean Air Campaign’s “Cash for Commuters” program tripled in membership when gas prices topped $4 a gallon in 2008.
Melissa Dibben, 26, has been using the program for a month. She and a coworker carpool from Midtown Atlanta to Mableton each day.
“We just switch off weeks, so it cuts not only my gas usage in half, but also my wear and tear on my car.”
And, Dibben says, because she knows someone’s counting on her, it’s made her more punctual.
Cheatham, of the Clean Air Campaign says the toughest part of executing the program is getting people to take the first step.
“I think that people don’t think there’s people in their area that live close to them or don’t work on the same schedules as they or don’t work in the same part of town.”
But, she says, 74% of commuters who try the program for 90 days stick with it after that.
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