I commute by train, I started a year ago and saved over $400.00 per month. the trains are getting fuller.
BTW - On short shopping trips where I drive, my labs usually accompany me, not long grosery trips and mall trips. When I go in the store, on these short trips, my windows are up, my A/C is running. I'm not killing my dogs or leaving a window down for two thoroughbred dogs to be stolen. I do not think that this makes me a fool.
Another interesting aside, in addition to expensive fuel, we are also in a pretty severe economic downturn. Many people are very upside down on their leases or car payments and cannot afford to just go out and buy a small car. The resale on big cars / SUV's is down, dealers are adding premiums to hybrids and some people are just trapped with what they have.
Another interesting aside, I read on CNN where a person is buying all of the big SUV's he can get his hands on, he gets a fairly new one for $9K, he then pays $2.2K to ship it to south America, where fuel is cheap, and sells them for $18K. Another person in the same article has two big SUV's that he just bought. They are like 3 years old. The value is so down that he got them free and clear. With no car payment, he is not so worried about the cost of fuel he is saving money and driving big.
This article begs two questions. If fuel is cheap elsewhere, is there really a shortage? Are we hurt by fuel prices alone, or fuel prices and car payment to go with it?
Long term fuel efficient vehicles sized to day to day needs should be mandatory. It just can't happen overnight. We are fighting two demons here, the economy and the fuel supply.
What have you noticed since the gas prices have become so high? I have just noticed that where I live in the middle of nowhere on my morning walks the sky is completely clear. I mean I usually see at least 5-8 vapor or ice trails from airplanes and at least 2-3 actual planes. Now I see none at all I know the airlines have cut back and I think this is why I have not seen them.It feels a little strange like I'm being cut off from the rest of the world not that I ever cared if planes were in the sky or not. Just that it feels a bit strange.
What I've noticed..... a sinking feeling in the pit of my belly when I think about our economy, our dependence on oil, our dwindling natural resources, a sadness when I think what our children will inherit, and my lack of faith in the folks who "run" this country.... sorry - no comments on traffic being lighter or prettier skies - don't mean to ruin your Sunday with my angst - maybe I should go back to bed and pull covers over head??? (I would be cheerier if I weren't in between jobs...)
