Skyrocketing gas prices impact local rideshare, delivery drivers

CHARLOTTE — Gas prices averaged around $4 at several Charlotte-area gas stations this week, and the numbers are expected to climb.

Nationally, the average hit a record high with numbers we haven’t seen since 2008.

Here’s a breakdown for prices as of Monday:

• Average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Charlotte -- $3.99
• Average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in North Carolina -- $4.04
• Average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in South Carolina -- $3.92
• Average price for a gallon of regular unleaded nationally -- $4.10

The spike in gas prices is having an impact on services many people use, like Uber, Lyft, and Doordash. Bloomberg.com reports it’s not clear yet whether the higher prices will be passed on to the consumers. Uber said for every 20% increase from Monday’s average, rider fares would need to rise 1% to cover the gas costs.

“At the gas station, I used to pay $17, $18, $20 maybe,” said Uber driver Raymond Castaldi. “Now, it’s like $30 to $40. You know, double.”

The price spike is forcing Castaldi to make changes to afford gas.

“I used to take my kids for dinner more often. Now it’s you know, dress clothes. I’m cutting all these things that I can,” he said.

Cab drivers are also forced to eat the cost.

“It’s crazy, my friend,” said cab driver Michelat Firman. “There is nothing we can do and then they don’t even think to change the fare.”

Doordash drivers are struggling too.

“In California, I could make between $25 and $37 an hour,” said Doordash driver Maryam Talash. “Here, I’m averaging $15 and with the cost of fuel, it’s down to $12.

Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy said he knows people are frustrated, but drivers’ hands are essentially tied. He said 90% of the price hike is due to the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. He also had suggestions of small things to do to save gas.

“Things like, drive more fuel-efficiently, slow down on the interstate. It’s a good time to go out and check your tire pressure,” he said. “The simple things are starting to make a profound impact on how many miles you’ll get out of that tank of gasoline.”

Stock prices fell Monday as gas prices surged. The Dow ended the day almost 800 points down -- that’s a 2.37% loss to end 32,817.

(WATCH BELOW: Expect to pay more at grocery stores because of Russia-Ukraine conflict)

Expect to pay more at grocery stores because of Russia-Ukraine conflict

Local business concerned over impact of rising gas prices

The owner of a Shelby business said they survived 40 years of challenges but worry the gas crisis could be too much.

They’re a three-man family flooring company and they’re concerned about getting sandwiched by increases for delivery and installation costs.

Gas at the Murphy Gas is $3.99 a gallon as of Tuesday, one of a few places in the region where gas is under $4 a gallon.

Walter Norville Flooring has been a staple in Cleveland County for four decades. They have sold and installed carpet through multiple recessions and financial setbacks, even through a global pandemic, but gas at $4 a gallon may be too much.

The company has one van for flooring installation and as of Monday, it costs a little over $100 to fill up the van.

“It’s almost like small businesses are goin to have to close up the doors. We can’t afford to fill up van and even the cars to come to work,” said Kenneth Norville, the owner’s son.

Norville’s biggest concern is the cost of delivery of flooring that comes from the warehouse on trucks. The price hasn’t gone up yet, but they fear at this rate, it’s only a matter of time.

(WATCH BELOW: Local business concerned over impact of rising gas prices)

Local business concerned over impact of rising gas prices

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