Public Transportation as an Alternative to Driving By: Derrick Alba

Gas Guzzling Society Americans have an insatiable thirst for gasoline, and with sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) continually growing in popularity we are only getting thirstier. Americans drive more than 2.6 trillion miles per year in automobiles, light trucks and SUVs, according to a MEMA report. That's equal to 14,000 round trips to the sun. Today, we drive almost twice as much as we did in 1980 (1.5 trillion miles), when gas prices were at their highest. (Howstuffworks.com)

Causes for Rise in Gas Prices Increased demand with trend of popular yet highly fuel consuming SUV’s and light trucks. Increased motor traveling especially during the summer vacationing months. Volatile situation in Middle East can and has drastically affected oil pricing. Strong dependence of oil from OPEC which controls 40% of the worlds oil production. Increased environmental emission standards increase the cost of fuel regionally.

How High is too high? Photo Source - http://www.lifeisajoke.com/pictures501_html.htm

Local and National Gasoline Costs In the Chicago area as of June 1, 2004: According to (chicagogasprices.com) Lowest $1.97 – Citgo – Oakbrook Terrace Highest $2.43 – BP Amoco – North and Elston Nationally as of June 1, 2004: According to (gaspricewatch.com) Lowest $1.73 – Franklin, KY Average $2.04 – Nationwide Highest $3.25 – Lanai City, HI

Historical Gas Prices* Year Price Per Gallon 1950 $1.91 1955 $1.85 1960 $1.79 1965 $1.68 1970 $1.59 1975 $1.80 1980 $2.59 1985 $1.90 1990 $1.51 1995 $1.28 2001 $1.66 *Prices adjusted for inflation Source: U.S. DOE and Howstuffworks.com

Historical Gas Price Chart by Year *

Reducing Driving will Help Reduce Pollution Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest U.S. source of carbon dioxide pollution -- they produce 2.5 billion tons every year. Automobiles, the second largest source, create nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually. (National Resources Defense Council – NDRC.org)

U.S. produces the most Pollution… Though Americans make up just 4 percent of the world's population, we produce 25 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution from fossil-fuel burning – by far the largest share of any country. In fact, the United States emits more carbon dioxide than China, India and Japan, combined. Clearly America ought to take a leadership role in solving the problem. (National Resources Defense Council – NDRC.org)

What can we do as an individual? According to Greenpeace, among the many things you can do as an individual to help the environment includes walking, biking or using public transportation whenever possible instead of driving to help cut down on emissions. If possible choose Gas-Electric Hybrid Vehicles and Economy Models over larger gas-guzzling SUV’s and Trucks if driving is a must.

Public Transportation Guide The CTA is convenient and inexpensive. Plan your Trip at: http://tripsweb.rtachicago.com/ See current fares at: http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/fares.html See which fare plan is best for your needs: http://students.depaul.edu/~dalba/CTA/CTAFaresTable.htm

DePaul U-PASS Details Full-Time Students automatically have U-PASS fee of $48.25 charged to their tuition. Students using U-PASS have significant price savings over regular fares. All full-time students at DePaul are automatically charged for a U-Pass each quarter. Pick up U-Pass at the beginning of each quarter, usually the first week. Schedule is posted at the ID Services Office at the beginning of each Quarter. Locations of ID services: http://is.depaul.edu/security/cards_passes/id_services.asp

Bibliography Bonsor, Kevin. How Gas Prices Work. Article. http://money.howstuffworks.com/gas-price.htm Resource on gasoline pricing as well as historical data on gas prices. Global Warming Basics. Article. http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp Information on the effects of pollution on global warming. Individual Action: What you can do to prevent Global Warming. Article. http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/extra/?forward%5fdestination%5fanchor=%252fcampaigns%252fintro%253fcampaign%25255fid%253d4012&campaign%5fid=4012&forward%5fsource%5fanchor=Solutions%2520Introduction&item%5fid=9211 Information on what individuals can do to help prevent global warming. Chicago Transit Authority Website. http://www.transitchicago.com Resource for fare pricing, fare card system, maps and trip planning. CTA U-PASS Information. http://is.depaul.edu/security/cards_passes/cta_upass.asp Details and pricing information for full-time students who are eligible for U-PASS. Wheeler, Timothy B. Commuters slowly turn to transit. ChicagoTribune.com, From The Baltimore Sun. Article. May 30, 2004. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/bal-te.md.transit30may30,1,3604653.story Resource on the increased use of Public Transportation as an effect on the increase of gasoline prices.