People looking at other transportation options with gas prices skyrocketing

People are being forced to make tough choices about hanging up the car keys.

With gas prices on the rise, some people have no choice but to find new ways to get around town. Whether it’s taking public transit, pulling out the bicycle or even walking, it beats taking the tremendous hit at the gas pumps.

Victor Guerrero is a transit driver in Saskatoon and he says he’s starting to notice more and more people taking public transit.

“Well, I think it makes a lot of sense to actually use public transportation instead of your private vehicle, just due to the fact of the 50 per cent increase (in gas prices),” Guerrero said while waiting for a bus Monday. “It’s a no-brainer.”

Gas prices in Saskatoon and Regina sat at $1.79 per litre Monday. Gas experts are projecting those prices are only going to keep going up in the future.

According to the Government of Canada’s website, Saskatoon’s average price of fuel in May of last year was $1.25 per litre.

Moving forward, Guerrero says the city has to step up its game in public transit in order to make sure everyone can get to where they need to in the easiest way possible.

“We need to increase service definitely,” Guerrero said. “I think it’s necessary to make it more reliable in a matter of time — because everyone’s time is valuable, right?”

Pain at the pumps

980 CJME went to the pumps on Monday to see how people were coping with the high gas prices.

“It was $1.78.9 and I almost crashed my car when I saw that. I understand, but it’s hard,” said one woman from Saskatoon who was in Regina visiting her daughter.

“(Prices) are more expensive than I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s hard to believe that just like a year ago, it was less than half of the price it is now,” said another woman.

One man said the cost of gas for his vehicles has almost doubled in the last year.

“I travel between Regina and the other side of Yorkton every weekend,” he said. “I work here during the week and I go home on weekends. It used to cost me about $400 a month and it’s now costing over $600 (or) $700 a month just to do that. I’d say it’s ridiculous.”

The cost of fuel has some people considering altering their holiday plans.

“I usually go out of province, so I think that’s a trip that is probably still going to have to happen,” one woman said. “It might make me reconsider what vehicle we take, but I also go camping every summer with our trailer.

“The thought of paying for gas on top of towing the trailer seems a bit much right now, so I’m not too sure how many camping trips I’m going to do.”

Another man says he has heard from friends that they might not be able to afford to go on holidays.

“It could affect my plans this summer,” he said. “I have heard friends talk about it and I think for people between the ages of 18 and 30, it will affect their plans this summer.”

And if people were hoping those prices will fall, Dan McTeague — the president of Canadians for Affordable Energy — said they should think again.

“It is going to get more expensive,” he said. “Unless (Russian president) Vladimir Putin makes a decision to withdraw troops (from Ukraine), I don’t see this resolving itself.”

 — With files from 980 CJME’s Shane Clausing