PRICES UP AGAIN - Dig out your wallet

canadaeast.com As published on page A1/A2 on February 4, 2003

(THE DAILY GLEANER - STEPHEN MACGILLIVRAY PHOTO) A tank of gas is going to cost more today after a sharp jump in prices in the Fredericton region Monday. Many stations are now charging 82.9 cents per litre for self serve. RICHARD DUPLAIN The Daily Gleaner

The price of gasoline in the Fredericton area has increased again - in some cases by as much as five cents a litre. On Monday morning, the price of self-serve gas at most stations was 77.9 cents per litre. By afternoon, however, the same gas was selling for 82.9 at many places. "There's not much we can do about the prices," said Craig Stairs, who operates an engine machine shop on Clark Street. "There always seems to be a bit of a difference in the price of gasoline throughout the city." Stairs was filling up at the Irving Mainway on King Street in preparation for a trip to Maine where he will pick up some engine parts. "I'm going to fill up there," he said, suggesting the price of gas in the U.S. may be better. He said the different prices at gas stations around the city on Tuesday may be more of an indication that store owners are growing weary of the up-and-down. "They are probably tired of changing the signs," he said. "I expect the prices will continue to go up," said Leanne Price, who travels to work each day from Newmarket. She said she has been watching the gas prices going up and falling back but seemed resigned to the shifts. "I have no idea why," she said. "We have to pay no matter what the price and cursing about it doesn't do any good." Mike Ross was filling his tank at the PetroCan on Prospect Street. There, the price was 82.9 for regular, 86.9 for plus and 89.9 for super. "Prices are going up and down like everything else," he said. He added that even with gas regulation on Prince Edward Island the prices there last weekend were not much different or better than prices in New Brunswick. "They were cheaper on Friday but on Saturday the prices were similar to those in Moncton on Sunday," he said. "I don't know why the prices are fluctuating so much. I suppose the situations in Venezuela and Iraq add to the mess and it will be something we'll have to put up with." Gasoline prices took a dramatic jump Dec. 18 but remained stable for more than 10 days. On Dec. 31, prices skyrocketed to beyond the 80 cents a litre mark. Prices saw little fluctuation during January until the end of the month when the price of regular gas bottomed out at 77.9 cents a litre. The respite was short-lived, however, and Monday prices at some gas stations jumped by five cents. Gas stations in the area are now selling regular unleaded fuel anywhere from 77.9 cents a litre to 82.9 cents per litre. The cheapest price this morning could be found at the Wulastook Convenience Store at Kingsclear. It was selling regular gas at 75.9 cents a litre and 82.9 for its top-grade gasoline. At Canadian Tire on Prospect Street, consumers will pay 82.9 cents per litre for regular, 85.9 for mid-grade and 83.9 for high octane. At press time, Irving stations at the Fredericton bypass and the Mainway on King Street were selling their gasoline at different prices. Regular unleaded gasoline goes for at 82.9, 86.9 for plus, 90.9 for supreme and 82.9 for diesel at the bypass while the Mainway on King Street is selling regular gas for 77.9, 81.9 for plus, 85.9 for supreme and 79.9 for diesel. The Ultramar on Dundonald Street is selling regular gasoline at 77.9 cents per litre and 80.9 for plus and 83.9 for supreme. The By-Pass Esso Convenience and Postal Outlet on the Woodstock Road is selling regular gasoline at 82.9 cents per litre, 85.9 for extra and supreme goes for 87.9.