Driving Some to Sacrifice

Rising Gas Prices Have Hit Lower-Income Families

Alfred Jones used to steer his sporty Mazda MX-6 onto the Beltway and drive the entire loop for the thrill of it. He knew the trip was senseless, but he could afford the gas.

Things have changed. Jones lost his job, and rising gas prices have forced him to give up driving his car entirely.

Higher pump prices have drained his savings and left him unable to renew his vehicle registration. Jones, 48, of Upper Marlboro spends much of his time at his mother's house, where he lives, frequently checking online job listings.

"You have to make choices now between food or gas," Jones said. "It hurts. It's killing me."

For many Americans with comfortable incomes, soaring gas prices are an annoyance that has not fundamentally reshaped their lifestyles. But for many lower-income people -- often those who work in service jobs or are looking for work -- each new bump up in price means altering daily routines, spending less on clothes and food, and keeping the kids at home instead of driving them to the pool or friends' houses.

In the Washington area, those hit hardest often live in the suburbs and have little choice but to drive to work. Some said they never expected a spike in gas prices when they decided to live in places where driving to and from work is the only practical transportation option.

Social service providers around the region said they are hearing complaints from low-income clients about gas prices. In some cases, they are giving clients money to offset the higher costs.

Nancy G. Taxson, who runs a program that provides housing to about 70 formerly homeless families in Northern Virginia, said clients started complaining two weeks ago. Many of them drive to work, job training or day-care programs.

"Every time the gas goes up, this is a real problem for them," said Taxson, executive director of Homestretch Inc. "They say, 'We have absolutely no money. We have to get to work this week.' So we give them $10 and tell them to try to make that last."

A gallon of regular gas in the Washington area was about $2.67 yesterday, according to a daily survey commissioned by the AAA auto club. Prices were nearly 42 percent higher than a year ago. While the cost of a gallon remains below the 1981 inflation-adjusted peak average of about $3.11 a gallon, the recent spike is hard to ignore.

In the Washington area, people drive an average of 280 miles in a week. For a car that gets 20 miles to the gallon, a week of driving would cost about $37.39 today compared with $26.36 a year ago. That would work out to an extra expense of more than $44 a month.

Stom Saleh of Falls Church, a former stay-at-home mother, is taking classes to land an office job and has to drive to Tysons Corner for the sessions. Soon she will be assigned to an internship, and she worries that the drive to work may end up costing more than she can afford.