With the recent events in the gulf pushing gasoline prices into uncharted territory, one might think that people would start looking at ways to conserve. This certainly is not the case in my neck of the woods.

There are, in my opinion, just as many single-person vehicles on the road as ever. The major routes are just as congested as they have always been. What gives?

Well, it would seem that a person’s need to commute to work in the quiet comfort of their own personal space is somewhat stronger than the need to maintain their bottom line.

Yeah, people complain about it for a day or so, but then they’re right back to what is comfortable and familiar.

At this time last year, I would have thought that gasoline prices in the $1.40C/liter range would result in massive protests and a huge decrease of vehicles on the road.

I envisioned cars loaded with 3 or more persons, trains filled to capacity and gas stations sitting idle.

This just doesn’t seem to be the case. We are carrying on as if nothing is happening. I think many people are simply accepting this as the cost of independence on the road.

Does that mean the oil companies can increase gas prices by 2 or *shudder* 3 times the current price, without any hint of opposition?

Really, wouldn’t you think that the un-breathable air and the damage to the environment would be incentive enough? Nope, far from it. There is only one thing that most people truly understand: their wallets.

At what point will the commuter simply say, “Hold on, this is enough, I’m going to have to find a cheaper way?” I don’t know. But one thing is certain; we will likely see a change in the very near future. I would venture to guess that we are approaching the upper limit of what people will freely pay. After that, we may witness car pooling and public transit becoming viable alternatives.

Never underestimate the power of economics.

Filed under: Commuting

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