With gas prices at an all-time high some at SF State find that have to give up some comforts to indulge in the luxury of driving.

While they can skip the bus, sleep later and travel many places in a short amount of time,
among other reasons, going to the pumps these days is turning out to be quite an investment.

Gas prices have been steadily rising for more than a year. However, a combination of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction of vital oil refineries and the increasing cost of crude oil pushed prices to incomparable heights according to Sean Comey, a media relations representative for the Northern California Automobile Association (AAA).

According to the Gas Buddy Website, bay area prices range from $2.87 to $3.31 a gallon with $2.98 being about average in San Francisco. The average a year ago was $2.05.

“To see gas prices at $3.00 is disorienting,” said Matt Tarver-Wahlquist, a grad student at SF State. “Not too long ago it was $1.50 and that seemed like a lot.”
Workers from Chevron or SF Fuel, the nearest gas stations to SF State wouldn’t comment on the prices.

Ayan Jiggets, 45, an administrative assistant in the foreign language and literature department commutes to SF State from San Mateo everyday. She’s considered public transportation, but her job, friends and church are in San Francisco. Although gas is expensive, things like bringing lunch to work eases the strain.

“I consider having to pay $33 (a week) for gas and it changes my budgeting priorities,”
Jiggets said. “At the same time (I) put myself into this position because (I) don’t want to be inconvenienced.”

Chandler Neville, 25, an apparel design and merchandising commutes from to SF State Richmond District to, but she doesn’t do anymore “joyriding” “everywhere she goes has a purpose”.

“I really only drive because I pay (the lease) for my car,” she said. “I pay too much money not to drive it.”

Alice Liang, 21, a liberal studies major, had already reduced her driving before the latest price increase. After paying nearly $120 a month for gas, she gave up driving altogether.

“I get a (Muni) fast pass for $45 and I’m set for the month,” she said.
Although things are difficult now, Comey said there will be respite for drivers as winter approaches and overall driving decreases.

“We’re seeing the prices go down,” he said. “But they’re going to go down much less rapidly than they went up.”

To find the lowest gas prices in San Francisco and the bay area visit Gas Buddy or SF Gas Prices.