By RIEL MAJOR

MANY motorists are upset over higher gas prices now the price of fuel at the pump has risen over the $5 mark at the nation’s three service stations.

The cost of gas is now $5.05 at both Rubis and Esso, and Shell, having the cheapest fuel on the island, is now $5.03 per gallon. Prior to this, gas was $4.89 a gallon at Rubis and $4.93 at Shell. Esso’s price did not change.

One motorist, who only wanted to be identified as Mr Rolle, told The Tribune: “Gas too expensive in this country man, they need to reduce the price. The poor man can’t survive. They need to get it right.”

Another motorist, who gave her name only as Ms Ferguson said: “(The rise) is ridiculous but what can we do about it? It’s either (pay) or park and catch the buses which is not reliable.”

Sterling Cooper said the price at the pump takes a toll on those struggling to make ends meet.

“The increase in gas for the poor people, I think it’s a little strenuous right now because, I don’t think that our gas price should be fluctuating up and down because you know as tough as it is right now,” Mr Cooper said.

“There are a lot of people that don’t have jobs. If we can use the bus system or we could get that organised in a proper way, we can use the bus system and we can probably car pool and alleviate the traffic on the streets. The gas price is a bit too high.”

Nicholas Johnson said: “(Gas) is getting ridiculously high. It’s getting harder because with the prices of everything else going up and the gas price gone up it’s getting harder and harder to try deal with that. Dealing with everything being high.

“I (go) to the gas station everyday putting in fuel, like $10-$15 a day. At the end of the week I spend (over) $100 just on fuel just to run around this little island and when you compare that to the amount of money you making everyday, that’s a big cut.”

Lindsay Darville said: “The only thing we can do is deal with it…it is unfortunate but what could we do? We need gas to get around what else can we do? If that’s the price, that’s the price, but you’ll think twice about taking a Sunday drive or casually going somewhere. You have to think about your runs and stuff. That’s the only thing we can do.”

Despite the complaints from many, one male motorist was unbothered about the price of fuel.

Chester Johnson said: “I actually didn’t know it went up so I don’t be watching (the price). Probably in the long run I would really pay attention to it but right now I’m not really paying attention to it.”

Last week, The Nassau Guardian reported the government gave the go ahead for gasoline prices to breach the $5 mark in July, according to the price schedules of the Price Control (Gasoline & Diesel Oil) Amendment Regulations published that month.