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Community Corner

High Gas Prices: Your Commute, Summer Plans

The now $4-plus per gallon gas prices are burning holes in residents' wallets. Carpooling and staycations anyone?

The summer forecast is in: expect heat, humidity and high gas prices.

After gas prices topped $4 earlier this week, many of us are watching our transportation budgets closely. Plan to pay $4 per gallon on average for summer travel, according to AAA. And although the rising price of fuel hasn't yet changed how people commute, it could affect everything from Memorial Day to summer vacations.

“Based on past experience, if people have already made their plans – like flights - they’re not going to cancel based on the price of gas,” said Fran Mayko, public affairs coordinator for AAA Southwestern Connecticut. “But if they’re driving, it will depend on the mood of the country.”

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Prices across the Nutmeg State rose from $3.75 one month ago and $2.97 last year at this time. The state’s rising gas prices outpace the national average, which itself jumped to $3.82 from $2.86 according to the AAA. Still it’s below the $4.39 some drivers paid two years ago, summer of 2008.

High gas prices come from many reasons, including the Middle East turmoil and foreign currency exchange, said Jacklyn Ghergurovich, public affairs coordinator for AAA Connecticut.

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Still there’s no escaping that high gas prices, coupled with the gasoline tax, is putting area residents on edge, said state Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, a Democrat who represents Westport in the 136th House District.

“We have one of the highest gas prices in the nation,” he said.

Steinberg sits on the Transportation Committee said the only good thing he can think of about higher gas prices is it will force people to conserve more.

Commuters will have to adapt or accept. And for the most part they accept, Mayko said.

“I don’t think people like to carpool in general. They want to keep their flexibility at the workplace,” she said.

Yet flexibility may have to come into play regarding vacations. To help people plan, the Western Connecticut Convention and Visitors Bureau offered several suggestions.

For those looking to minimize the impact of rising gasoline prices on their wallets there are a variety of day trips in Fairfield County, from Bridgeport’s Beardsley Zoo to Wilton’s national Historic Site. Or the , built of quarter inch-thick walls and without interior walls in New Canaan.

Another day trip for families is the .

“When gas prices rise people can have a New England experience very close to metro New York,” said Janet Ferra, the convention and visitors bureau’s executive director. “Perhaps people won’t go as far as New Hampshire, Vermont, or the Cape, but there are a wonderful cornucopia of attractions here.”

Ferra has covered Fairfield and Litchfield counties for AAA Connecticut for 30 years. Hotels and attractions will most certainly offer value added packages now as they have done in the past, she said.

Another possible day trip involves taking the train to the trains.

CCVB has forged a relationship with Metro-North Railroad. Passengers can ride the rails to Norwalk and as far as Danbury where they can visit the . The bureau also encourages hotels to work with Metro North to develop package deals.

“People might cut back on where they’re going to go. Maybe they’re not going to drive to Florida but to Boston instead,” Mayko said. “But it’s still cheaper than flying.”

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