Columbus Drivers Pay More For Daily Commute

A new workweek begins and drivers are paying more to commute. Columbus gas prices this morning are topping out near $3.85 for regular grade or about 18 cents more per gallon than last week. Nationally, the Lundberg survey says gasoline prices jumped an average of 12 cents during the past two weeks. Mark Holtzclaw of New Albany commutes daily to his job at Netjets in northeast Columbus. He says he changes driving habits when gas prices get too high. "Absolutely, when prices are higher I'm less likely to take a road trip out of town. I limit my driving to work and necessities or I go to places nearby where I normally would go across town." Says Holtzclaw. Holtzclaw says he relies on loyalty card programs from grocery stores to put a dent in his gas bill. "The thing I rely on, you know, there are different fuel programs that some of the stores have and that's been very beneficial to help us offset some of those gas increases." Holtzclaw was having breakfast at the Sunny Street Cafe in New Albany when he talked to WOSU News. Waitress Christine Rhodes says she lives three minutes from work so she pays less attention to gasoline prices. "I mean I think if the prices get high I'll still be O-K with it. Not that I like it, but I'll have to be O-K with it. More disappointment. Like I wish I didn't have to pay that." Says Rhodes. The Lundberg survey says demand for gasoline in the U-S is stable but its uncertain whether prices will spike even more during the spring and summer months.