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After months and months of rising gas prices, it looks as though things might be looking a little bit more positive. In the last few weeks most people across the United States have seen a fall in how much they have to spend to fill a tank - in some areas, gas prices have fallen as much as twenty per cent - and that’s been a welcome relief for those heading out on driving summer vacations. On top of that, the US dollar is looking stronger which is another bonus for travelers if they’re heading abroad.
But despite the current optimism, the reality that gas prices will not drop to former low levels seems to have sunk in, and it’s changing the way a lot of people travel.
One example is in the numbers of people using public transportation to travel medium and long distances, such as on Amtrak trains or Greyhound buses. In the last year, the numbers of riders has increased dramatically. Across the United States, the number of passengers riding on Amtrak has risen over 11 per cent just between October 2007 and July this year. Investigations seem to make it clear that the single biggest reason for more people to be using trains and buses for traveling is the high cost of gas - it’s now often considerably cheaper to ride a train or bus than it is to fill your car’s tank.
Another big change in the travel industry that rising gas prices have brought is in the area of RVs and campers. Sales of RVs are falling, especially for the largest motor homes which have become super expensive to haul around or drive. Fuel efficiency has suddenly become an important selling point and the industry is suffering. The segment that isn’t suffering, however, are manufacturers of more fuel-friendly campers and haulable tents. Small trailers that don’t add much to the fuel burden and convert into a trailer with a tent at night are becoming much more popular amongst road travelers.
Curiously, up in Canada, the trends are a little different. Studies are showing that despite rising fuel costs, Canadians are driving more and buying up big on less fuel efficient vehicles. With incomes rising 35 per cent in the last five years, most Canadians aren’t in a position where they need to look into ways to save money on their travels. If the current dip in price doesn’t last and gas prices head up higher, only then might the trends of the United States end up crossing the border and affecting Canadian travelers too.
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