Hey RayintheUK, how are fuel prices?

[MilDoc]

The US has always had relatively cheap gas compared to the rest of the world. Usually only OPEC countries are cheaper than us.

The BIG advantage most European countries have is GREAT mass transit. (Anyone been to London? Great place to get around easily without a car.) Here, we live miles from work, commute hours every day, and generally drive bigger vehicles. And, in most areas (but not all), lousy mass transit.

There are NO bus lines in my little town, except the one that goes to the local college for the students. But, then again, I live 0.6 miles from work.

[dlminehart]

So, Paul, that makes a nice 15 minute walk, right? Or, like a lot of suburbs hereabouts, are there no sidewalks in Copperas Cove? I suppose you could take your life in your hands and do a 5 minute bike ride. My last commutes have been about 125 times as long as yours (75 miles each way). With earthquake disruption of transit in mind, I figured I could walk home in about 25 hours if necessary.

[MilDoc]

So, Paul, that makes a nice 15 minute walk, right? Or, like a lot of suburbs hereabouts, are there no sidewalks in Copperas Cove? I suppose you could take your life in your hands and do a 5 minute bike ride. My last commutes have been about 125 times as long as yours (75 miles each way). With earthquake disruption of transit in mind, I figured I could walk home in about 25 hours if necessary.

Nope. NO sidewalks in this area at least. Plus a bad train crossing to get by. And a 15 minute walk in Texas heat would just about do me in (see next response

Nope. Can't ride a bike. My artificial leg prevents that, though I've tried, 'cause LOML likes to ride.

And, I live in a military community. ever see how these young GIs drive? I doubt I'd survive 6 months!

[RayintheUK]

Update: now $10.14 in the UK (at current exchange rates) for a US gallon of diesel, a rise of 83 cents per US Gallon in less than two months.

Ray.

[MilDoc]

Update: now $10.14 in the UK (at current exchange rates) for a US gallon of diesel, a rise of 83 cents per US Gallon in less than two months.

Ray.

In my area $4.36 / gallon diesel. Holding at $3.99 / gallon (until next week) for regular.

And we think WE have it bad! European prices have always been far higher than ours.

[germdoc]

Update: now $10.14 in the UK (at current exchange rates) for a US gallon of diesel, a rise of 83 cents per US Gallon in less than two months.

Ray.

Enough to make you park your SUV for good. Oh, I forgot, you don't have SUV's over there...

[dkerfoot]

Sure, gas costs more in the UK, but you can drive coast to coast on 1/2 a tank!

I like the old saying that in the US, 100 years seems like a long time and in England, 100 miles seems like a long distance.

Many times, less developed countries that produce oil, subsidize gasoline as a means of encouraging development. More developed countries, unless oil is their primary export, tend to tax it to increase revenue.

The higher prices in Europe are almost entirely due to taxes.

It is funny, I have never paid much attention to either the price of gas or my own mileage, but with all the focus on it, I decided to find out what my MPG is in my little 1994 Ford Escort wagon. Apparently, I have been getting about 42 MPG all this time and never noticed. Of course, that is probably why I don't pay much attention to the price of gas... I told my wife that before much longer, my car will be worth more than her 2003 Town & Country Limited!

[mmcduffie]

Quote from Matangi Tonga, a Tongan online news magazine;
Nuku'alofa, Tonga: Petroleum prices in Tonga's remote Niuas islands passed the $4 a litre mark, following yesterday's nationwide fuel price rise that added between .20 seniti to .22 per litre on last month's price. Diesel hit $4.74 per litre in Niuafo'ou.
02 Jul 2008, 20:24

That's $17.91 Pa'anga a gallon.

1 Pa'anga = .5360 US Dollar so I make that out to be $10.11USD/gallon but could be quite wrong.

Doesn't sound to bad but keep in mind the average income is something like 2500 Pa'anga a year on the smaller islands.

Michael