Local Cab company unaffected as gas prices sky-rocket
SOUTH COAST, Ore. - As you may have noticed, statewide gas prices have sky rocketed. Average prices in Oregon have risen more than 13 cents in the past week alone. Now, Oregon has an average of $3.63 a gallon.
National gas prices also had a bit of a jump, rising four and a half cents in the last week to $3.51 a gallon. With the big jump in state prices, Oregon drivers are now paying 31 cents more than they were this time last year.
The average price Tuesday in Coos County is $3.79 a gallon.
Owner of Yellow Cab Taxi in North Bend Dick Leshley tells KCBY, they make around 600 trips a day, with 90% of those rides for people running errands and going to and from work.
Rising gas prices are on their mind...
"We began in 2008 a program to replace our 12 to 14 mile a gallon cars with cars that get 18 to 20 miles to the gallon. So we are prepared this time. Does it concern us, yes, but we are prepared," explains Leshley.
Their preparedness has allowed them to only raise their flat rate $2 in 22 years, and they don't plan to raise it again anytime soon.
"We've worked very hard to do that and to hold those costs down. Again, price of gas is going up, we think we are good. We don't think there will have to be any changes. I'm going to back up on that and say if it goes to six bucks a gallon we are going to have to look at it, but I don't think it is going to get there," replies Leshley.
Leshley has some fuel conservation tips for local drivers to keep in mind.
Check the air pressure of your tires, plan out every trip based on location, and cut down on sudden stops and starts.
National gas prices also had a bit of a jump, rising four and a half cents in the last week to $3.51 a gallon. With the big jump in state prices, Oregon drivers are now paying 31 cents more than they were this time last year.
The average price Tuesday in Coos County is $3.79 a gallon.
Owner of Yellow Cab Taxi in North Bend Dick Leshley tells KCBY, they make around 600 trips a day, with 90% of those rides for people running errands and going to and from work.
Rising gas prices are on their mind...
"We began in 2008 a program to replace our 12 to 14 mile a gallon cars with cars that get 18 to 20 miles to the gallon. So we are prepared this time. Does it concern us, yes, but we are prepared," explains Leshley.
Their preparedness has allowed them to only raise their flat rate $2 in 22 years, and they don't plan to raise it again anytime soon.
"We've worked very hard to do that and to hold those costs down. Again, price of gas is going up, we think we are good. We don't think there will have to be any changes. I'm going to back up on that and say if it goes to six bucks a gallon we are going to have to look at it, but I don't think it is going to get there," replies Leshley.
Leshley has some fuel conservation tips for local drivers to keep in mind.
Check the air pressure of your tires, plan out every trip based on location, and cut down on sudden stops and starts.
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