Gas prices are decreasing, especially in the city of Syracuse, and that could help Syracuse University commuter students.

“I think it makes commuting more affordable and easier for them financially,” said Elin Riggs, director of the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services.

Riggs added that SU has 125 first-year or new transfer commuter students this year, and that the school has about that many every year. Outside of commuter students, about 35 percent of SU students have a car on campus.

The average price per gallon of gas in Syracuse has dropped 2.2 cents from last week’s average, 21.6 cents from last month’s average and 119.1 cents from last year’s average, according to gasoline price website Gasbuddy.com.

Riggs noted that students who commute often have different priorities than other students.

“Commuter students have a different mindset at times,” Riggs said. “They are concerned with classes and academic-related activities but are not as likely to get involved in as many social activities.”

Jeff Pelton, senior petroleum analyst for Gasbuddy.com, attributed the decrease in gas prices to the increased supply of crude oil, a result of the advancement of fracking technology.

Pelton said the one big reason gas prices have dropped is North Dakota and the shale oil revolution, which is a result of advances in oil and natural gas production, according to CFR.org. Pelton added that there is currently a huge oversupply of crude oil.

Pelton said some other reasons gas consumers are sure to save money this winter. He said gas stations will be switching from summer grade to winter grade soon, and winter grade is cheaper to produce. Pelton said the coming of winter signals the end of driving season, which should further decrease the prices, saving consumers money.

“You should see an average price of about $2 (per gallon),” Pelton said.

Destany Finney, a sophomore television, radio and film major, does not expect to come to campus more just because gas is cheaper.

“It’s just not really a factor for me,” Finney said.

Finney lives in Lakeland, a town about 15 minutes away from the SU campus. She pays for her sedan’s own gas and knows that it costs about $35 to refuel, so the decrease in gas prices has not gone unnoticed to her.

Pelton has one idea on how people can spend the money they will not be spending on gas this winter.

“Around Christmastime, people should have extra dough,” Pelton said. “Maybe they can spend it on presents.”

Published on September 14, 2015 at 11:04 pm

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