by Adam Shear
WACO - According to the motorist group AAA the average price of gasoline is currently $0.29/gallon higher nationally than it was last January.
In Texas the price of gas has increased $0.07/gallon in just the last week. In a down economy with people in Texas paying $3.22/gallon, it has made things much more difficult for people to get from point A to point B.
"The gas prices keep going up, but the pay is staying down," said Chelsea Robinson, a Waco gas station attendant. "It is just getting harder for everybody as long as they're going to keep going up."
Experts believe that both a slow increase in the United States economy and the possible conflict between the U.S. and Iran have driven up the price of crude oil and gasoline.
Despite knowing of the big picture issues that the country currently faces, local stations are left in the blind as to when the next increase in price might come.
"They just send us a message, like an e-mail," said Robinson. "Our signs are automatic, so they automatically change [when the prices change], so we just pull up and it's like 'hi'."
Analysts are forecasting gas prices could rise to $5.00/gallon in some parts of the country during the summer when more people drive.
Central Texas people are seeking out ways to save money on gas including using smart phone applications that can help them save a few centers per gallon.
"I go to H.E.B. to get my gas because they have the gift card with $0.11 off," said Robinson. The whole place is packed because $0.11 per gallon is starting to add up."
Consumers looking for cheaper gas can also visit the News Channel 25 Gas Tracker here: http://www.kxxv.com/global/Category.asp?c=137930
