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May 14, 2008 10:20 pm US/Central
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Suburban Commuters Now Spend $100 Week On Gas
Public Transit Seeing Spike In Ridership As Fuel Prices Soar
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Many people move out to the suburbs to save money, but now with rising gas prices the drive to work is very costly.
CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports people who live in the outer suburbs are having to find new ways to cope not only with a long commute, but with a more expensive one, too.
Carpenter Shane Macy travels from one end of the Chicago area to another every day for his job.
"I just bought the truck used about four months ago and I've already put 10,000 miles on it," Macy said.
He's spending about $100 a week to fill up his truck. Even at a station in far north suburban Grayslake, regular unleaded is nearly $4 a gallon.
"I never thought I'd see gas prices get this high...yeah, maybe like, downtown but not here," said motorist Mickey McGuire.
In the past 10 years, the far north suburbs have seen a boost in population growth.
"Compared to downtown you're going to get considerably more for your money, for the simple fact that you're going to get a lawn," said Century 21 real estate broker Gary Stittgen.
Stittgen says it used to be considered a long commute to travel from Wisconsin to downtown Chicago, but many of those residents are now moving to northern Lake County.
"We're seeing a lot of those people now selling, specifically so they can shorten their commute," Stittgen said.
A move will shorten their commute, but not by much.
"It would take me on a snowy day probably close to 3 ½ hours," said commuter Bria Coleman.
That's why Coleman is now taking the Metra. She says she's saving at least $200 a month in gas money.
And, she's not alone. Metra ridership increased 5 percent in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year. Weekend ridership is up 11.8 percent.
"Everyone who takes the train just complains about the gas prices. That's all we do," said Metra commuter Devi Gaddam. "That's the reason they say we are taking the train.
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