Many students and faculty are seeking different forms of transportation, such as carpooling, bicycling, or even walking to get to where they need to go.
If you have to fill up your tank, it is important to purchase from the most inexpensive station available.
In Oxnard, the cheapest location is at Costco located at Ventura Blvd & Paseo Mercado. For students who attend Moorpark College, the cheapest place in the city is the 76 Station at the intersection of Spring & Los Angeles Ave.
The lowest price for gasoline in Ventura is currently the Chevron Station on the corner of Seaward Ave & Harbor Blvd.
Moorpark College student Omar Serrano, 19, is just one of many who are being affected.
“We’re all going to feel the pressure with the price of gas as crazy as it is,” said Serrano. “It’s bad. Having recently gotten my license, it doesn’t look like I’m going to be doing a whole lot of driving at these prices.”
Ricardo Salezar, 22, from Oxnard College feels that the prices are getting out of control.
“The gas prices have affected me dramatically with tuition and the high cost of text books,” said Salezar. “Having to pay $30 to $40 every three day commuting to school from Camarillo is just ridiculous.”
Ventura College student Dawn Zolman, 30, says that its causing many problems.
“It’s crushing me. It’s too much financially. I am low income and I have a child. It’s hard. I can’t make a lot of trips when I need to.”
Although many factors have contributed to higher crude oil prices, several Internet sources say a strong worldwide demand for oil is the major cause.
There are two principal reasons for the greater price volatility in California. First, only 13 refineries in California supply the gasoline and diesel fuel markets in the state. Second, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) product quality requirements for both reformulated gasoline and diesel fuel are more stringent than any other state in the U.S. and all other countries.
John Zisk, Operations Manager for USA Petroleum, says that he thinks the price of gasoline will continue to rise.
“I can’t say that we’ve seen any break in demand at all,” said Zisk. “Demand for us is at an all time high too, so we’re buying as much as we can sell. The demand is strong. The price of crude is what’s driving it.”
The price of gasoline has risen astronomically every month. Exxon/Mobile reported this year’s first quarterly profit at $8 billion.
From every gallon, 50 cents is going to state and federal taxes. In addition, California is the only state that charges a sales tax.
That fee is 25 cents, so in reality, it’s a double tax. Taxes, however, have at least been consistent. The escalating prices are independent of all taxes.
“The best thing people can do is just to buy from the cheapest person they can see out on the street,” said Zisk. “Everybody needs to fill up and, of course, they’re going to keep doing that, but if they buy at the cheapest place, that will help bring prices gradually down.”
Some, however, don’t feel the need to change their habits.
“I don’t really have the time to carpool,” said Daniel Pawelczyk. “It’s really not convenient with my schedule.”
For more information on where you can find the lowest prices in your area, visit www.gasbuddy.com.
