FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sandi Moody or Sheila Martin, BACS

January 5, 2006 800-998-RIDE or 813-282-8200

Gas prices are creeping up again!

Tampa Bay’s pumps are now ringing an average of $2.25 a gallon for regular gas, and industry analysts say that the prices will continue to increase. There’s no way around it, in 2006 the cost of filling our gas tanks is slowly creeping higher and higher!

Average retail gasoline prices in the United States surged to above $3 a gallon after Hurricane Katrina, which knocked out refineries and caused power outages that disabled pipelines. Now, the average retail price of gasoline nationwide is $2.19 a gallon, or 41 cents higher than a year ago, but analysts say the $3 level could be within reach again by summer.

Many commuters in the Tampa Bay area save money and cut their gas usage by carpooling, vanpooling and riding the bus. Many employers offer Telework options one to five days per week, allowing the employee to work from home or an alternate location closer to home, avoiding traffic congestion and saving gasoline usage.

Bay Area Commuter Services (BACS) is a great resource for ways to keep your money for more important things than filling the gas tank – like having fun! Avoid the creeping gas prices – for information on BACS’ programs and services, call 800-998-RIDE or visit BACS online at www.tampabayrideshare.org.

BACS is the regional non-profit commuter assistance program agency serving West Central Florida and is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. BACS’ goal is to relieve traffic congestion by helping commuters use options other than driving alone.

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