Here’s how NH drivers, organizations are dealing with high gas prices – and their trickle down effects

At Meals on Wheels in Hillsborough County, CEO Jon Eriquezzo has been keeping a close eye on gas prices.

Rising fuel costs affect the two main elements of his work: the cost of food and the cost of driving deliveries around the region. The last time gas was above $5 a gallon in 2022, he said, the organization went into “emergency mode.”

“We got increased costs for food. We had to subsidize our staff and volunteers for driving,” he said. “That was very challenging for us. Right now, we haven’t seen the same impact, but we’re getting close.”

Across New Hampshire, commuters, non-profits, and transportation providers are scrambling to adjust to higher fuel costs. In New England, gas prices have risen by more than a dollar since February, and they’re expected to keep rising as the war in Iran continues.

At Meals on Wheels, Eriquezzo said he anticipates greater impact if gas goes up by just 50 cents.

Over the past few years, his organization has been preparing for this scenario. They purchased a warehouse and additional freezer space to store food from across the country and secure better prices from distributors. They transitioned from fuel oil to natural gas, cutting general energy costs. And they raised the reimbursement rate for volunteers who drive to cover increasing gas expenses.

“We’ve saved a lot of money and made a lot of preparations knowing that this could happen again,” Eriquezzo said.

Public transit feels the pressure

For the COAST bus system, which operates between Portsmouth, N.H., and Farmington, N.H., rising gas prices present higher costs. But they also tend to increase ridership, said Michael Williams, the organization’s director of operations.

“It has increased the cost to run the service,” he said, “but hopefully it makes the service a more attractive option to more people who could really see their personal budgets mitigated through this time.”

COAST hasn’t raised fares in response to gas prices. But Williams said that, after keeping the ticket price at $1.50 since 2008, the organization has been considering raising it to $2 for several months – an adjustment that could become more necessary if fuel costs remain high.

COAST and other transportation organizations, including the Concord Area Transit system, can use state-run gas pumps, which help keep costs stable even as gas prices rise at public pumps.

Terri Paige, the transportation coordinator for the Community Action Program for Belknap and Merrimack counties, said the main impact on Concord’s fare-free bus system has been the cost of procuring parts and supplies. In at least one case, shipping costs have doubled.

Her employees have also been struggling.

“Their personal budgets are getting tighter and tighter, and they’re trying to meet their own household expenses,” Paige said. “I’m getting more frequent requests for pay increases that I can’t actually provide right now.”

Programs that offer free transportation for older residents who need to get to far-away medical appointments are also keeping an eye on gas prices.

Tahja Fulwider runs Ready Rides, which serves people in Southeast New Hampshire. She said many volunteer drivers don’t ask for gas reimbursement, but as fuel costs jump, that may change.

“What might be impacted is the further rides,” she said. “With the rising fuel costs, I see that even those are kind of getting hit a little bit harder.”

If more drivers start requesting mileage reimbursement, Ready Rides could run out of funding sooner and may need to seek new grants or dip into savings.

Fulwider said she doesn’t think volunteer drivers will start driving less. But, like public transit services, she expects demand for rides to increase.

Drivers try to save on gas 

For Mike Merrifield, who drives for work, filling up his truck has become a challenge. He bought it in September, when diesel was around $3.75 a gallon.

“It’s now basically doubled,” he said. “I put in $150 and hope that’s enough when I pay at the register. So it’s very, very difficult.”

Some drivers have adopted creative strategies to manage their gas spending. Christian Burbank, from New Hampton, N.H., tries to drive slower.

“I know that saves a little bit of gas,” he said. “I try to stay behind people – less draft.”

Katie Payne, who lives in Durham, N.H., said she’s changed her shopping habits.

“Because I have a BJ’s membership and I get the cheapest gas in town, I’ve completely shifted all my shopping to Newington,” she said.

And, she said, fuel prices have pushed her to consider longer-term changes.

“Now I’m thinking my next car will definitely be electric, when my poor Honda Element dies,” she said.

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