AIRAN SCRUBY & JACKIE PICKERING
News Editor & Staff Writer
Gas prices in Malibu have soared to $3.17 per gallon for regular unleaded, and prices are expected to keep climbing until summer begins, according to the Energy Information Administration.
According to the EIA, the national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.81, up $.68 from a week ago.
Malibu Shell station owner Hans Shahidi said he has not seen a decrease in business, because most people buying gas must commute to work.
“Four dollars is coming,” Shahidi said. “Probably by early or mid-summer we will definitely hit four.”
Freshman Jordan Pettit said the prices in Malibu are noticeably higher than in Texas, his home state.
“They’re a little more pricey out here, but I think everywhere it’s pretty high.” Pettit plans to begin sharing rides to nearby locations like the beach.
Pettit also said he might try to bike on campus or buy a scooter, but that he plans to continue driving his Ford Explorer regularly.
“Right now I’m going to keep the ‘old chief.’ It’s not going to change how I travel,” he said.
Mac O’Herliny, a Malibu resident and real estate agent, said his job forces him to drive a great deal. O’Herliny and his family drive about 60,000 miles per year in their cars, and plan to make changes to accommodate rising gas prices.
“We have three gas guzzlers and we are going to get rid of one of them very quickly,” O’Herliny said.
While many are upset about the situation, some have taken a positive approach.
Pettit said he is not letting the situation dampen his mood.
“Keep a positive attitude and you’ll be all right,” Pettit said.
04-13-2006