Gas prices drying out students' pockets

Soaring gas prices have student travelers looking for cheaper transportation options. According to FAMU students, gas prices have had a costly effect on how much they pay for utilities, food, and airplane tickets.

Since gas prices have increased, FAMU has experienced an increased participation in the spirit bus, a charter bus funded by the Student Government Association that takes students to out-of-town games at a discount price. “I decided to travel with the spirit bus because everything was included and the prices were fair,” said Nicole Skeete, a senior health care management student from Orlando, Florida.

Commercial buses such as the Greyhound Bus Line provide a more cost-efficient means of travel for students who want to visit home. Greyhound travels throughout the country and runs 24 hours a day, with incentives such as the student advantage card and half price shipping for moving expenses. This is an inexpensive method of travel, according to Derrick Porter, a Greyhound manager. “It is convenient because we run everywhere,” Porter said. “It is cheaper than buying a gallon of gas.”

According to Porter, students can also purchase a non-refundable ticket that is cheaper than a regular price fare. A bus trip leaving on a Friday from Tampa to Tallahassee cost $47.50 regularly. With the student advantage card, the price would be $40.38 after taxes for a 247-mile trip. “The bus prices have not changed even though the gas prices have,” Porter said.