Business

Pain at the pump: Prices near $5 per gallon

April 29, 2011 Denise Romano

Photo by Denise Romano.

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Brooklyn drivers like their peers across thecountry — are feeling pain at the pump as gasoline pricesskyrocket, and show no signs of coming down. Gasprices in New York City alone have risen by 3.5 cents this week,with premium prices topping out at about $4.50 a gallon.

Prices at thatMobil Station and the BP Station on 16^th Avenue wereidentical: $4.19 for regular, $4.39 for super and $4.49 forpremium. Philip Carducci of Bath Beach was at the BP station, readyto trade in his wheels for soles. Its just too high I am goingto walk a lot more and with the nice weather it will be easier, hesaid.

Daniel Byrnes, Jr., who was filling up at the GulfStation on Seventh Avenue suggested a price cap. Major cities likethese should have a price cap where it cant cost more than $5 agallon which it will by next month, he said, but noted that hewould not be getting on a train or bus anytime soon. It sucks,its horrible, but what are you going to do? Its not like the MTAis any better. Yeah, its cheaper, but the service isawful.

Jason Perez, who lives in Staten Island but drivesover the Verrazano every day to his job in Bay Ridge, was alsofilling up at the Gulf Station, and blamed the whole price hike onBP.

BP threw a bunch of oil in the water and now theywant the money back that they spent on the clean- up. Its veryunfair, he said, but noted that he had just inherited his car fromhis grandfather and probably wouldnt be driving it much longer ifprices continue to rise.

Im going to have to get on a bus, heconcluded.

Gas station ownersare hurting too. Anthony Ferrara, manager of the Dyker HeightsMobil Station, said that the prices are severely affecting hisbusiness.

They are so highthat business is going down, he explained, adding that he does notsell nearly as much gas as he used to. But you cant blamedrivers. Its ridiculous, having it going up three to seven cents aday. Its bad for us. We cant pay the stations rent or bills. Weare not happy.

But, the high costof fuel did not seem to affect Brian Kraft, who lives in Miami,Florida, but spends a lot of time in Bensonhurst where he owns abusiness. As he filled up his Denalis tank at theMobil Station on Bay 7^th Street, Kraft shrugged. It iswhat it is, he said. Complaining doesnt get you anywhere.