Residents of Fountain, FL are feeling the strain as gas prices continue to increase, with several residents saying prices range from $35 to $100 for a full tank.
Nationwide, prices are $1.35 per gallon higher than they were last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. James Sawyer, a traveling mechanic, says those extra cents are starting to add up.
"I’m actually struggling a lot more now since the gas prices went up," Sawyer says. "Like usually it’ll take $35 to fill it up. Now it takes $60 to fill it up, so it takes a little more out of my check to make it to work."
Resident Ronnie Barris says he’s had to find other ways to make it to his payday each week.
"I had to borrow gas money to go to work this morning," Barris says with a laugh. "Waiting on Friday."
Kevin Bagwell says he thinks for many Fountain residents, rising gas prices have led to a cycle of working for gas money.
"It's kind of a catch-22 for anyone who’s just started out working. Like you need the gas money to get out of here to work somewhere that pays you what you’re worth," Bagwell says.
According to the Energy Information Administration, prices are fluctuating but are expected to remain near the $4 a gallon through the early summer.
