Gasoline prices driving drivers to drive less often -- or not at all

There was a time when not having a car or driver's license was a inconvenience.

But in the days of $3.75-a-gallon gasoline, it's an advantage.

Sure, you can get into a moving machine and drive to wherever you want to go, but who wants to go to as many places knowing your tank will need another $50 fill-up soon.

People who don't have cars don't miss them. And some people who do are using them sparingly.

And you're not stranded. There's always bicycles, and walking. And don't forget the bus.

Take Elgin resident Marie Gomez. Without a license or a car, buses are her only means of transportation. She rides a Pace bus every day from her house to Spring Hill Mall. She knows its schedule and lives on patience, instead of gas.

"Sometimes it's on time, sometimes it's late," she said. "It's all depending on how bad the traffic is. But it only costs me $12 a week in fares. That's a lot less than what other people are paying for gas."

Latambra Williams agreed. The Carpentersville woman spends $50 for a monthly bus pass even though she has a license and a car.

"I take the bus five times a week. I haven't seen too many more people riding the buses than I do, but I know I'm saving money," she said. "A one-way ride is $1.25; it's $1.75 for a transfer."

You can't beat that when the driving public expects gas to cost $4 a gallon in a month.

And that's just the price of gas. Figure in all the other skyrocketing-priced, petroleum-based products cars need, such as oil and tires, and the cost for the freedom to drive becomes even more expensive.

It's already reached that point for Carpentersville resident Helen Ahle. She drives her Ford Focus three times a week to volunteer at St. Joseph Provena Hospital in Elgin. She doesn't fill her tank often, but when she does she's glad she's not on the road more days.

"It doesn't take long to need more gas. I'm looking forward to the day when I can retire and don't have to drive," she said jokingly. "But the hospital won't let me."

She's 91 years old and has driven for decades. She got her license even before gasoline was 25 cents a gallon.

When many senior citizens fight to hang onto their driving privileges, Ahle said the high cost of driving may be a sign that it's better to let go -- and let someone pay to fill up the tank.