Colonie Students React to Increasing Gas Prices

By Gabriella Kolodziej

February 28, 2024

(COLONIE, NY) Gas prices have recently been rising across the United States, including in the Capital Region, and students at Colonie Central High School have expressed mixed feelings about this phenomenon. 

As reported by CNN, the national gas price average increased by 11 cents in a single week, and $3.28 became the average cost per gallon. In the Capital Region, gas prices rose by 1.3 cents per gallon in a week, and the average cost of a gallon of gas was $3.25, per an article by News10. 

Several students have expressed feelings of unhappiness due to these higher prices. Senior Dylan Rafferty, who is reliant on his Chevy truck for everyday transportation, called the higher gas prices an inconvenience, and he also described his confusion with their rise, acknowledging that global issues may play a role. 

While Rafferty stated that higher gas prices don’t affect how often he drives, senior Maggie Buchan, who described the price rise as annoying, explained changes to her driving habits. 

“I actually have been driving a lot less,” said Buchan. “I only drive to places that I have to be like cheer, school, and appointments.”

Other students acknowledged that while higher gas prices are a problem, the effect that they have on them personally is minimal. Senior Jacob Kotary described his driving pattern as being everyday and everywhere, taking him to and from school and to and from work.  

“It's always nice when they’re a little bit lower, (but) I have to drive anyway, it's not like I’m not going to pay for gas prices even if it rises by a little bit” said Kotary.  

Some students have also stated that despite gas prices having no personal effect, their families have acknowledged it as an issue. 

“My parents are upset about it, but it doesn’t impact me,” said Grace Conley, a senior.  

Regarding where students choose to fill up their cars with gas, many students said proximity, rather than cost, was the main factor when choosing a gas station. Jacob Kotary explained that where he was coming from determined where he would stop for gas.

In regards to why higher prices have occurred, CNN describes several factors that contribute to them. Among these factors is an increase in demand as warm weather and summer approach: people are taking more road trips. In addition, when gas stations switch to selling summer batches of fuel which are more expensive, the price will rise.

However, CNN also explains how maintenance and unexpected shutdowns at oil refineries across the country have caused a decrease in supply, increasing prices.  

Multiple students expressed their belief that rising gas prices is an issue for the government to deal with, with others stating that it is an issue for the companies to address.

As summer approaches, the price of gasoline is expected to rise. This rise in gas prices is also accompanied by an increase in the cost of living, with inflation raising the price of many basic necessities. The federal government has worked to address this growing inflation, but in the long run, these higher prices are likely to take a toll on consumers' wallets.