Cheaper gas prices drive business
Drivers line up to pump gas for $3.39 a gallon.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
MIDDLETOWN — Drivers were lined up all day Wednesday, May 7, at the Swifty station on University Boulevard.
The big draw? Regular unleaded gas at $3.39 a gallon, about 40 cents cheaper than at most stations across Southwest Ohio where drivers saw prices jump about 30 cents to around $3.80 per gallon Wednesday.
Extras
Swifty Gas in Middletown had a long trail of customers Wednesday, May 7, because the University Boulevard station didn't raise its prices when gasoline jumped about 30 cents to 40 cents a gallon.
Get latest headlines via RSS feedsThat's a record high, according to AAA's daily fuel gauge report. The last high came less than a week ago on May 2 when prices hit $3.60.
Earnest Penters waited nearly 35 minutes to fill his tank at the station Wednesday evening.
"I was almost back down by the underpass," he said. "Guys like me are on a fixed income. You can't go out and pay four or five dollars for gasoline."
Eric Ward, of Monroe, was driving by when he saw the station's sign. He'd already waited about 15 minutes but still hadn't reached a pump. Ward said he won't see another paycheck until next Friday and hoped to make this fill-up last.
"We're limited on funds," Ward said. "I'm going to fill it up and try to go as little as possible in the car. I might have to give plasma."
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2511 or dwells@coxohio.com.
