This is getting totally ridiculous!! Gas prices in Holland

[Not Sir Phobos]

If you take the tax out then it's about the same cost to the consumer.

*slaps forehead*

So that's what we've been doing wrong all this time!
We must take the tax out!

Next time I go pay for my just filled up gas tank,
I'll ask the person behind the counter to leave those damned taxes out...

I'm sure he will

I hope you didn't take that wrong.

[Wendy]

I hope you didn't take that wrong.

Of course not!

I just thought it was funny and pictured the look on the guys face if I would actually ask him that :D

[Cloud]

Then what is it?

[soda]

[Cloud]

Tell me a story.

[SS Kakarot]

Hahaha, that's a classic, Soda!

[soda]

[soap box]Gas prices changing driving habits[/soapbox]

[hanaeleh]

I think that there's a difference between actually *making* gas prices higher and having them soar for one reason or another. I remember the argument between soda and IGWT but, if I recall, that was when Magician changed servers or something and my response was deleted forever. No one seemed to mind, of course.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with commuting on your bike if that's the decision that you've made, but there is no way I'm going to make that same decision, for a number or reasons... not all of them because I'm fat and lazy, but partially because of them. Even my friends who are training for the IronMan Triathalon don't ride their bikes to work everyday. Some days, yes. But not everyday. If it were up to me, I'd ride my horse to work... but that's another issue entirely.

Personal transportation needs to be more economically and environmentally friendly. I see that as a better answer than to tell everyone to ride their bikes, IMO. As Shampoo mentioned, public transportation is horribly inefficient and there is no way I can feasibly get to work from my house on the bus. Well, possibly, but it would take me three hours either way and I just don't have that kind of time.

More power to you, soda, for your ability to commute on your bike. I think more of us should think about running to the grocery store for milk on our bikes or just taking a walk instead of hopping in the car. But that's a far cry than the commute that I look at every morning.

[Wendy]

If I'd take my bike to get to work I'd have to paddle for a good two hours. Maybe that won't be so bad when you're living in California but in Holland you can expect snow storms in July.

If I'd take the train I would probably save me about $ 10 a month (yes..it's that expensive here because the prices for public transport go up almost just as often as gas prices) and would be en route for an hour/ an hour and a half (maybe even more if the train is delayed which happens a lot).

If I take the car it will take me 20 minutes to get to work.

Anyway...

Thought you might wanted to know gas prices have gone up again because of the high oil prices.

Now it's a nice $ 7.13 a gallon.
Yesterday I had the pleasure of filling my car up again and the guy at the counter happily took my 77 euro. (that's about a $ 100)

Krafty? how are things going in the UK?

[Cloud]

Yes, please tell me.

[hanaeleh]

So can the government lessen the burden of the gas tax, Uende? I mean, is there a way to make it more bearable?

It takes me $60 to fill up my tank... so I understand how you feel... sort of....

[Wendy]

So can the government lessen the burden of the gas tax, Uende?

I don't think it's a matter of if they can, but more if they want to.

There has been talk of lowering road taxes (is that how you call it?) because the prices of gas are getting so high, but you know how it goes with new ideas...they first have to debate about it for a couple of years.

[In_Gabriel_We_Trust]

they first have to debate about it for a couple of years.

And if they are anyting like our government, they'll come up with an idea that has so many holes in it looks like a Michael Bay script.

The only thing that works for me (but which I just forget to use most of the time) is using the rpm meter as a reference, trying to run as cost effecient as possible.. aka slower.

[Wendy]

Slower...yeah..that's what I've been doing to.
It helps...a little

Plus! it is more relaxing too

[soda]

Yes, I realize (as I've stated previously) that commuting by bicycle isn't for everyone. I know that it's not practical nor feasible in many cases even if you are in shape. The point of my previous post was to support my argument that people will only change their behavior (e.g. car pooling, going slower) when gas prices increase. And that was the only reason I posted that article. I'm not here to "convert" you to commuting by bicycle.

All of this complaining about inefficient modes of transportation is the first phase. Eventually, all the complaining will reach the ears of people that can make a difference such as the auto industry and the public transportation officials. The auto makers have already gotten a small taste because sales of SUV's have been in decline. The message they're getting from consumers is that they want more efficient cars such as hybrids. Public transportation right now is a joke in most places. I agree with you on that but again, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. The more people that complain about it, the more likely it will improve. There is going to be a painful transition phase but it will be worth it in the long run.

Finally, I don't have much sympathy for people complaining about gas prices if they've chosen an unnecessarily high consumption lifestyle (nobody here on the board ). That's like someone complaining that traffic is terrible as they sit in a traffic jam with 5 of their own kids in the back seat. They seem to be part of the problem with the 5 future drivers they've spawned.