The pain of rising gas prices continues to affect many college students’ tight budgets. Prices as high as $3.70 for regular grade gas can cost a small fortune for some to fill up a single tank of gas. Many students, as well as everyone else find themselves searching for an alternative to driving on a daily basis. Students who live too far away from campus to ride a bike or walk have a more difficult time finding a way to save money.
On any average day you will see quite a few bikers wheeling to class through campus. Those who do bike to class have found this alternative to be time saving. “What used to be a seven minute walk from the Pike House to the union has turned into a two minute bike ride,” says junior Business Administration major, Jacob Crowl. Most buildings on campus have a rack outside where students can chain their bikes to while they sit in class.
Oxford offers a public transit system that will take you throughout the city. You have probably seen the white busses labeled ‘Get on O.U.T.’ but you are like me, you have never actually been inside the bus. The benefits of these busses are the cheap fares offered. Ole Miss faculty and students get to ride the bus for free, while adults must pay $1 for transit fare. “I typically ride the bus once or twice a week, it’s free and it keeps me from having to pay for gas or park,” states sophomore Craig Joseph.
Some students have been affected by the high gas prices more than others because they do not have the option of riding the bus or biking to campus. Being on a limited budget has forced these students to cut back on spending in other areas. “I haven’t been able to eat out as much as I used to since gas has gone up. I typically use my gas card to fill up but lately that card has been maxed out before the month ends, so I end up having to use my debit card,” explains Ole Miss freshman Craig Hamilton.
Out of state students have been affected differently than those who live close to Oxford. Many students have not had the opportunity to make the trip home as often as they would like to. The cost of gas for the round trip, many times is just too much unless an emergency arises. “I went home to Nashville last weekend and spent over $200 just on gas to get there and back”, Ole Miss student Max Jarrel complains. “I would like to be able to go home once more before exams but I don’t think I’ll be able to afford it, it’s just ridiculous.”
The problem with rising gas prices has many people wondering exactly how expensive gas will get. At this rate it seems that gas may eventually be unaffordable altogether. We certainly have yet to see the worse, but many have already begun considering other alternatives to driving.
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