Collegiate Times

A recent hike in gas prices is forcing students and faculty to look at other means of transportation.

According to AAA, the nationwide average for a gallon of gas Thursday was $3.546 per gallon and $3.479 in Virginia. Prices were as low as $3.31 in Blacksburg before spring break.

For some students and faculty, the costs are a pinch on their budgets.

Seth Locklear, a junior building construction major hasn’t made a trip home since winter break, citing high gas prices as one of the main factors.

“Gas prices are way too high — it’s almost too expensive to drive home,” Locklier said. “I ride my bike everywhere. I really haven’t driven lately.”

Hilary West, communications coordinator for transportation services at Virginia Tech, said this most recent spike hasn’t affected operations at Tech, but it has changed people’s attitudes toward other modes of transportation.

“We do see this once in a while and it does make people change their habits,” she said.

Previously, when gas prices have risen there was an increase in the number of students registering bikes and signing up for the Commuter Alternative Program.

The program encourages faculty and students to travel via carpool, bike, Blacksburg Transit or on foot.

Additionally, faculty, staff and students who register for the Bike, Bus, & Walk program receive 15 discounted daily parking permits and access to Emergency Ride Home Service. The parking passes are provided in case of inclement weather or another situation, where driving to campus is a must.

West pointed out that it is difficult when a gas spike occurs in the middle of the semester, when registration for the Commuter Alternative Program has already passed.

Fiona Rhodes, a marketing specialist for Blacksburg Transit, said no changes to operations have been made at this time, as data for rider increase will be unavailable for a few months.

“There is nothing we can do about fuel prices,” West said. “We just have to have programs in place for those that the price of fuel is an issue.”

A version of this article appeared in the Mar 18 issue of the Collegiate Times.