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Bloody pain here in Australia.

Pay $1.55 AUD a Litre at my local fuel station and its not much diffrent anywhere else neither

I started driving during the bush price shocks. Current prices seem normal to me.

ours is now up to £1.36 a litre ($10.17 a gallon, dollar sign intentional) these days. I dont drive yet and every day before i finish uni is more money im going to be worse off when i learn to drive this summer

While the president may not directly control the gas prices, that being controlled by the countries that own the oil, he is the one who is in charge of the country that helped get those countries up to par and is offering them continual assistance. Cut all help and remove everything that we've got there, or at least threaten to, and I'm sure gas prices would plummet. No idea what other countries have to bargain with but there's always hostile takeover if really needed

Yak9UT wrote:Bloody pain here in Australia.

Pay $1.55 AUD a Litre at my local fuel station and its not much diffrent anywhere else neither

$1.40-$1.52 here in QLD

Azure wrote:While the president may not directly control the gas prices, that being controlled by the countries that own the oil, he is the one who is in charge of the country that helped get those countries up to par and is offering them continual assistance. Cut all help and remove everything that we've got there, or at least threaten to, and I'm sure gas prices would plummet. No idea what other countries have to bargain with but there's always hostile takeover if really needed

The government doesn't own the oil companies and we aren't OPECs majority buyer. That would rase gas prices for everyone and probably us especially since we would no longer have favorable rates and such acts would drive competition to favor our competitors.

Drop some nukes somewhere. That'll show 'em. Who are "'em" you ask? Shut up jerk, is my imminently eloquent response.

Karon wrote:Honestly, I don't see how these oil companies can legally raise the price above $4.00 a gallon. Its fething murder in this economic market.

They charge what people will pay, and if a service station can sell gas for less and turn a profit, then competition will force the price down. Either there's collaboration, in which case prove it, or the price increase is the response to market factors.

Unless you can prove the first one, then Obama can't do anything, nor should he.


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Azure wrote:Keep in mind, many European cities were set up before cars were a big thing and so getting around is, generally, pretty easy without a car. In the US, most of our cities were designed with cars in mind or with a large distance from the city to where people are living, cars are much more needed out here.

Exactly how long do you think cars have been a feature in most homes?

The difference is cultural, it's the impact on town planning and the willingness to subsidise public transport.

Thing is, I live in Australia. Not only that, I live in Western Australia. We have the lowest population density of any state in the world. You want to talk about populations spread across a wide area, talk to us. The Shire of East Pilbara is about 230,000 square miles, making it slightly smaller than Texas, or about 50% bigger than California, it has 8,000 people living in it. We understand driving a long time to get somewhere.

We're paying about $6.50 for a gallon of petrol.

Azure wrote:Keep in mind, many European cities were set up before cars were a big thing and so getting around is, generally, pretty easy without a car. In the US, most of our cities were designed with cars in mind or with a large distance from the city to where people are living, cars are much more needed out here. As an aside, the main reason I bitch about gas is because the price of the barrel hasn't increased at all despite the fact that our gas prices are going sky high, reason? I cannot find one besides speculation, which is ridiculously idiotic

No kidding. The twin-cites metro area here in Minnesota is about 50 miles across in places.

I have to agree, I do laugh when I hear Americans complaining about the price of petrol. You get it so cheap, it's ridiculous.

Here in Canada fuel prices are cheaper then most of the world, but still more expensive then in the US. When I filled up today, it was $1.37CAD a litre, which translates to roughly $5.44USD per gallon.
Unfortunatly at the moment I can't afford my own apartment, and as such live at a distance that I must drive to work(bus service where I live is very limited, forty minutes walk to the closest stop). But when I can, I do plan to get an apartment within walking distance of work, and places I would go to on a daily basis, use much less gas.

Ma55ter_fett wrote:I intend to buy Moped when I graduate from university, shouldn't need more than that for over half the year here.

I'll make use of a blazer or similar 4 wheel drive vehicle in the winter.

I am quite curious to see how ever higher gas prices (we will eventually run out) will affect the US car culture.

I think Americans will use a variety of measures to cope.

Car sharing and car hire pools.
More public transport, especially for commuting and longer distance travel.
Lighter, smaller vehicles which use less fuel.
More electric and bio fuel power.
Least likely, a retrenchment away from suburban culture, because in many US cities the population density is quite low.

Karon wrote:The thing is, that gas is a big different that video games.

In this modern age, gas is about as important as food. You don't have gas, you don't go to work, you don't eat.

Honestly, I don't see how these oil companies can legally raise the price above $4.00 a gallon. Its fething murder in this economic market.

Obama needs to put his foot down.

Wait, you assume he doesn't want high gas prices?
-GOM is still effectively shut down. Thats his direct control.
-Alaska development is now effectively shut down (see Shell pulling out). Thats his direct control.
-Libya is still going, instead of having been dealt with weeks ago. There's a price premium of about $20 per Bbl due to that.
-QE2.
-His Energy Secretary is on record supporting $5 a gallon.
-His big idea for reducing prices it to eliminate the drilling tax credits. While I'm ok with that in principle it reduces investment in new drilling as a simple function of math.



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GazzyG wrote:I have to agree, I do laugh when I hear Americans complaining about the price of petrol. You get it so cheap, it's ridiculous.

Yea but the trip from my house to work is longer than your country.


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Kilkrazy wrote:

Ma55ter_fett wrote:I intend to buy Moped when I graduate from university, shouldn't need more than that for over half the year here.

I'll make use of a blazer or similar 4 wheel drive vehicle in the winter.

I am quite curious to see how ever higher gas prices (we will eventually run out) will affect the US car culture.

I think Americans will use a variety of measures to cope.

Car sharing and car hire pools.
More public transport, especially for commuting and longer distance travel.
Lighter, smaller vehicles which use less fuel.
More electric and bio fuel power.
Least likely, a retrenchment away from suburban culture, because in many US cities the population density is quite low.

-What is this public transport you speak of?
-bio fuel takes food out of the system. Its inherently fruitless endeavor.

Frazzled wrote:bio fuel takes food out of the system. Its inherently fruitless endeavor.

Not directly, but indirectly, yes. But that doesn't matter because Americans grow a surplus of corn every year. The agricultural output of the US (both real and potential) is incredible. It's so good that we tend to ship corn (maize to you ferners) elsewhere for free.

Of course, if we reduced US food production, prices would rise, which would mean that poor people in other countries couldn't afford to eat. So I suppose that might be a concern.

Anyway, for those non-Americans, look at your fuel/gas/petrol taxes.

In the US, the average gas price is around $4/gallon. We pay around 45 cents per gallon, so the real fuel price is around $3.55/gallon.

In the Netherlands, you pay $9.40 per gallon, but according to wiki, 68.84% of that is taxes, so your real fuel price is $2.94.

You're not paying high gas prices because of the cost of oil, you're paying it because of the cost of government.

Also, of interesting note, if you put in (for example) "1.40 AUD per liter to USD per gallon" into google, it will convert it for you. Thanks google!

The problem with fuel prices wouldn't be so bad if there were viable alternatives to car use. But there simply isn't in many places. If you live in a city there's masses of public transport, live in the country and there's nothing. And that's before you take into account that public transport is actually quite expensive and rather unreliable. Cars are essential for a lot of people just to get to work.

It's ultimately the fault of the government for chronic underinvestment in public transport and this idea that trains and the like should be run for a profit. They should be state run as a public service like the NHS, trying to turn it into a profitable private service just leads to all the problems we have.

Howard A Treesong wrote:The problem with fuel prices wouldn't be so bad if there were viable alternatives to car use. But there simply isn't in many places. If you live in a city there's masses of public transport, live in the country and there's nothing. And that's before you take into account that public transport is actually quite expensive and rather unreliable. Cars are essential for a lot of people just to get to work.

It's ultimately the fault of the government for chronic underinvestment in public transport and this idea that trains and the like should be run for a profit. They should be state run as a public service like the NHS, trying to turn it into a profitable private service just leads to all the problems we have.

Same here with public transport, they made it a private company years ago, prices have sky rocketed, and service is been crappier then ever. It's like 45bucks from my place to amsterdam and back now, I can do the same with my car, faster, without annoying passengers, regular breakdowns of trains, crappy crossovers to another train etc. etc.

Howard A Treesong wrote:The problem with fuel prices wouldn't be so bad if there were viable alternatives to car use. But there simply isn't in many places. If you live in a city there's masses of public transport, live in the country and there's nothing. And that's before you take into account that public transport is actually quite expensive and rather unreliable. Cars are essential for a lot of people just to get to work.

It's ultimately the fault of the government for chronic underinvestment in public transport and this idea that trains and the like should be run for a profit. They should be state run as a public service like the NHS, trying to turn it into a profitable private service just leads to all the problems we have.

Entirely agree.

To drive from my house to my parents house takes 15-20 minutes. To do the same trip by bus takes almost 2 hours (assuming you make the conenctions) and then you still have a 20 minute walk to my parents house. To get the bus to where I worked took either 20 minutes with a 10 minute walk, or 45 minutes stopping right outside the entrance. And this is during a week day during the day when the buses run fairly regularly.

I could also get a train to my parents house but they only run a couple of times a day as far as I am aware, and again would involve a 20 minute walk to my parents house.

In order for my wife and me to visit her parents we could drive (3-4 hours) at a cost of about £30 each way in fuel, with a £1.50 toll (and a £5.20 toll if I go on the M6 toll) each way. For the pair of us to get a train ticket at short notice costs significantly more and takes about the same time (3-4 hours with a frantic tube dash across London) and requires a lift from the station at her parents end.

^ i have the same problem as this.
a couple of my best mates live in the next town over, it takes 1-15 mins in a car. But, on public transport it can take anywhere up to an hour and a half due to that town being on the 'other' train line (so i have to go into london and then back out again to get there) or the bus (which takes 25 mins anyway and only come once every hour...if your lucky)

I've taken it as a challenge, I replaced my gas fueled mower with a self-propelled reel mower(a newer version of what your granddad used). I also combine all my errands and trips into town with the days I drive to work. With summer coming up I'll do my usual amount of biking too.

Soladrin wrote:Getting tired of Americans whining about how "much" their gas costs. So I did a quick calculation, this is the price I would pay for a gallon here:

They complain because many American drivers are dopes who want to drive a bus to buy groceries. They really do make me shake head. I drive something sensible, it takes me $30 to fill up and I get 250-ish miles out that it'd probably be more if there traffic around was ever any good.. I wouldn't even consider that "Good" mileage to be honest, it's just sane in comparison to the douchemobiles I see clunking around everywhere.

Azure wrote:While the president may not directly control the gas prices, that being controlled by the countries that own the oil, he is the one who is in charge of the country that helped get those countries up to par and is offering them continual assistance. Cut all help and remove everything that we've got there, or at least threaten to, and I'm sure gas prices would plummet. No idea what other countries have to bargain with but there's always hostile takeover if really needed

A Moderator wrote:There's a rule called play the ball not the man. The same rule applies to engaging the argument not the person making it.

Karon wrote:Honestly, I don't see how these oil companies can legally raise the price above $4.00 a gallon. Its fething murder in this economic market.

Obama needs to put his foot down.

@ karon, same question.

Cheesecat wrote:

Lord Scythican wrote:Hey when I paid $1.00 a gallon less than ten years ago and now I have to pay $4.00-$5.00 a gallon? I think I have the right to complain. I would complain about anything that had increased in price by 400% to 500% in less than 10 years. Imagine paying $240.00 for the newest PS3 or 360 game?

As long as you keep paying, oil companies will keep nickle and diming you it shouldn't be that shocking.

That's the thing. A lot of people have to keep paying that. Right now I work at a job that is 20 miles away. However starting in September I will be working at a job that is half a mile from my house. Guess who is walking to work?

kronk wrote:

Azure wrote:While the president may not directly control the gas prices, that being controlled by the countries that own the oil, he is the one who is in charge of the country that helped get those countries up to par and is offering them continual assistance. Cut all help and remove everything that we've got there, or at least threaten to, and I'm sure gas prices would plummet. No idea what other countries have to bargain with but there's always hostile takeover if really needed

Is your head always this far up your own ass, or just when you post here?

Do you always post such insightful information? Honestly, all you need to do is throw down a few opinionated sentences and we can have a discussion, what you've chosen to do is hurl insults and contribute nothing to this entire thread: why?

Frazzled wrote:Yea but the trip from my house to work is longer than your country.

You have a 1500 mile commute each day? Crikey, bet that does use some fuel!

Chongara wrote:They complain because many American drivers are dopes who want to drive a bus to buy groceries. They really do make me shake head. I drive something sensible, it takes me $30 to fill up and I get 250-ish miles out that it'd probably be more if there traffic around was ever any good.. I wouldn't even consider that "Good" mileage to be honest, it's just sane in comparison to the douchemobiles I see clunking around everywhere.

A sensible American! I knew there'd be one somewhere I believe if the fuel in the US was hiked up to the same price as over here on our continent, suddenly a lot less people would be driving those 'douchemobiles.'

GazzyG wrote:

Frazzled wrote:Yea but the trip from my house to work is longer than your country.

You have a 1500 mile commute each day? Crikey, bet that does use some fuel!

I dunno about 1500 miles, the UK looks to be about 600 miles across at most on my map.


Still, a commute to work that long would be a nightmare.

kronk wrote:

Azure wrote:While the president may not directly control the gas prices, that being controlled by the countries that own the oil, he is the one who is in charge of the country that helped get those countries up to par and is offering them continual assistance. Cut all help and remove everything that we've got there, or at least threaten to, and I'm sure gas prices would plummet. No idea what other countries have to bargain with but there's always hostile takeover if really needed

Is your head always this far up your own ass, or just when you post here?

Karon wrote:Honestly, I don't see how these oil companies can legally raise the price above $4.00 a gallon. Its fething murder in this economic market.

Obama needs to put his foot down.

@ karon, same question.

Short answer is, no.

Are you always an ass, or just when you post on here?

Zuul wrote:

GazzyG wrote:

Frazzled wrote:Yea but the trip from my house to work is longer than your country.

You have a 1500 mile commute each day? Crikey, bet that does use some fuel!

I dunno about 1500 miles, the UK looks to be about 600 miles across at most on my map.


Still, a commute to work that long would be a nightmare.

And LETJOG is 874miles by road. So driving that twice would be over 1700 miles. I don't think there's anyone in the world with a daily commute of that, haha.

GazzyG wrote:And LETJOG is 874miles by road. So driving that twice would be over 1700 miles. I don't think there's anyone in the world with a daily commute of that, haha.

Aircraft crew?

SilverMK2 wrote:

GazzyG wrote:And LETJOG is 874miles by road. So driving that twice would be over 1700 miles. I don't think there's anyone in the world with a daily commute of that, haha.

Aircraft crew?

Maybe Frazzled is an dachshund dictator by day, but a trucker by night! His alter ego, The Truckman! Whenever a package needs to get across several states in one night, he'll be there.

SilverMK2 wrote:

GazzyG wrote:And LETJOG is 874miles by road. So driving that twice would be over 1700 miles. I don't think there's anyone in the world with a daily commute of that, haha.

Aircraft crew?

Cross country truckers.