Commuters face rising gas prices around both campuses

Maria Britos/Staff Writer

Adrian Suarez contributed to this report.

The recent spike in gas prices can convince any student to skip class and save a trip to campus.

For students attending Modesto Maidique Campus, the Shell gas station on Southwest 8th Street charges $3.41 per gallon for regular gasoline, as compared to the BP station on Southwest 139th Avenue that charges $3.69 a gallon.

A Chevron station located on Northeast 167th Street and Sixth Avenue has even been spotted charging a burdensome price of $4.85 per gallon of regular gasoline, according to a report by the Miami Herald.

As a commuter school, a large proportion of students are left worried with the idea of rising gas prices when tuition costs, among other expenses, need to be covered as well.

“The higher prices for gas makes it difficult to travel to school,” said Kenny Falcon, a junior business administration major. “It is so frustrating because as a college student, I make very little income and worrying about living costs is hard enough.”

Other students shared Falcon’s sentiment, like Maria Sandoval, a sophomore majoring in international relations.

“With the higher gas prices, I end up having to take fewer classes in order to have enough money to get around,” Sandoval said.

The total undergraduate population who live off campus and commutes to and from the University is estimated at 93 percent.

According to the recent 2012 Common Data Set researched by the Office of Planning and Institutional Research, transportation expenses for commuter students at the University is estimated at about $2,850 yearly if these students live at home or on their own.

Dino Siervo, professor of Economics, said that oil prices are slightly higher in Florida than in other states because of the lack of oil pipelines. Therefore, the cost of transportation is an added factor displayed in the rising gasoline prices.

The Syrian conflict is another increasing factor on the rising of oil prices. Although Syria is not a major oil producer, the United States’ conflict and possible nuclear attack could reduce the production of oil and slow shipping transportation in the Middle East, according to the Associated Press.

As of Sept. 16, the North Miami Beach Chevron gas station still holds the highest retail gas price in the area.

-news@fiusm.com