Santa Maria Residents React To Further Hike In Gas Prices
Jarrod Zinn
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) – Gas prices keep going up in Santa Maria, and residents say it’s pushing their budget to the limit.
Experts say it’s in response to the tensions with Iran.
Commuters are paying an average of $5.75 per gallon, and some stations in town are above $6.
According to GasBuddy, a downloadable smartphone app that tracks gas prices and connects drivers to locations with lower prices, Santa Barbara County has seen a 10.9 cents-per-gallon increase in the last week.
“It’s like two years ago, I would fill up my tank, only 30 bucks,” says Logan Sebern, a resident of Arroyo Grande. “You know what I mean? Now I’m filling it up 55. It’s almost doubled.”
The app’s researchers say gas was 13 cents-per-gallon cheaper last month, and more than a dollar less per gallon a year ago.
“I am seeing the gas increase drastically,” says Angel Rodriguez, a fuel industry employee.
While the price of diesel dipped for most of the nation last week, experts say it won’t last long, and that geopolitical tensions will lead to further increase.
“Back in the day, there was a percentage rise on taxes for tea, and people weren’t even having that,” says Sebern. “And I don’t know how they can almost double the prices and we just sit there and don’t care.”
Locals say these are the highest prices they’ve ever seen, and that affects everything from the number of stops they make on their way to and from work, to bigger decisions such as what to do with vacation time.
“Not that long ago I saw gas prices at like $3.80,” says Rodriguez. “So it’s since the war started. These are just going to be temporary. And I’m pretty sure that prices will go back down.”
President Trump has said these price hikes will only be in place for a little while, hinting at possible reductions in the near future.
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