By Michele Cruz |Staff Writer|
As gas prices rise students may consider a more cost-efficient way to travel to school.
Student Natasha Flores was at the Circle K gas station, and it cost her $60.00 dollars to fill up her car. Flores and many other students are trying to budget their money just so they can drive to school.
It is important that students and faculty try find ways to help budget their money, and try to save for transportation. One way to save money on transportation is to consider taking public transportation.
“The buses run on natural gas, and it is not affected by the gas prices,” said Wendy Williams, director of marketing for Omnitrans.
According to Williams, the amount of people using the Omnitrans has increased by 4.5 percent since November 2010. Omnitrans student tickets can be found at the Parking Services on campus. The student seven day passes are $11, and the 31-day passes are $35.
Ford Motor experts have compiled eco-tips to help drivers conserve fuel and save money at the pump. Drive 55 mph instead of 65 to save fuel, because pumping the accelerator sends more fuel into the engine.
Use cruise control if possible on the freeway because it maintains speed and conserves fuel. Accelerate and brake smoothly, because it conserves fuel.
Do not warm up your car, new cars are able to drive off immediately. Turn off engine in non- traffic situations, such as fast food windows. Check your tires and maintain proper engine tune-ups, this will decrease your fuel use up to 5 percent.
“Gas prices have risen dramatically over the last few years brought on by supply and demand issues as well as the recent unrest in the Middle East. Ford has predicted this over the last several years which is why we have invested in smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Dan Pierce.
communications manager for Ford Motor Company.
Ford believes in making fuel saving vehicles that has the latest smart technologies college students can afford.
Fords new model Fiesta is fuel efficient at 41 mpg and has the leading vehicle technologies. This car includes push button start, Power shift transmission and Sync a hands free communications system. The Focus is another fuel saving vehicle that gets 40mpg and is also packed with great new technologies.
Another way students or faculty can save money on transportation is carpooling to campus. Just drive up to the CSUSB information kiosk, and have at least two people in the car. There you will be given a stamped carpool pass for the day. This is a free service that CSUSB provides, and it will save money on transportation.
“The benefits of carpooling are closer parking, and you don’t spend as much money on gas”, said Iris Vicuna Parking Services student assistant.
Search Ford Motor Company on Facebook for more information, and contact the CSUSB Parks and Services for Omnitrans tickets at (909) 537-5912.
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