BUFFALO, N.Y. — Drivers across Western New York are seeing gas prices surge, with a gallon now reaching nearly $4 at stations on Elmwood and Delaware avenues, as ripple effects from the war in Iran begin to be felt locally.
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“It’s alarming it’s scary, because you know it’s only gonna get higher,” said Herman Cooks, a resident of the area.
In just a matter of weeks, gas has jumped by nearly a dollar a gallon, putting more pressure on household budgets. “We’re all forced to purchase it at the pump, no matter the price,” said Scott Laing, assistant professor of finance at the University at Buffalo.
“Consumers are unfortunately going to have to start pulling back a little bit in various ways, whether it’s more discernment at the grocery stores, maybe less trips, being careful of travel expenses,” Laing added.
Herman said the rising costs are already affecting daily life.
“I was just telling my wife that maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago it was under $3 and now we’re planning trips and things of that nature, you have to add those into your budget. And it also makes a decision if you wanna do certain things,” he said.
And it’s not just Herman. Organizations such as FeedMore WNY say they’re feeling the pain at the pump too.
Catherine Schick, public relations manager for the food bank, explained the effect on their operations. “In terms of what we’re paying now for gas in comparison to December of last year, we are seeing an increase of about 20%,” Schick said.
She added that managing fuel for their fleet of 50 trucks will require careful budgeting.
“That means for us … doing everything we can,” Schick said.
With global tensions continuing to affect oil supply, experts say both individual drivers and organizations may need to adjust spending as gas prices remain high.