Ocean City officials say they are starting to see the impacts of higher fuel prices on the city’s bus division.
During Tuesday’s meeting of the Ocean City Transportation Committee, Transportation Manager Rob Shearman said fuel costs are creeping up for the municipality’s bus fleet. While fuel expenses have stayed below budgeted amounts since the fiscal year began last July, he said the division is starting to see an uptick.
“We have seen – probably not a surprise – a little bit of a surge in costs,” he said. “Right now, I would say we are almost right on our budgeted fuel amount for this year. But the way that’s trending, who knows. That’s not our doing. We’re kind of the victim of the circumstance if you will.”
According to AAA Fuel Prices, the average price of gasoline in Maryland reached $4.45 per gallon on Tuesday, while the average diesel price reached $5.61 per gallon. Officials say they are dealing with the impacts of high fuel costs in every municipal department throughout Ocean City.
“We were below, and now we are back to where we budgeted,” Shearman said. “So that’s good news. But you see how it’s trending, so we have to be prepared for that.”
Mayor Rick Meehan asked how that increase could affect ridership.
“I know our costs are going to go up with gas prices. That’s obvious. Is there a trend, nationally or anywhere, where people are taking public transportation to avoid driving because of gas prices?” he asked.
Really, I thought fuel prices only effected me.