Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Alternatives to driving surge with the gas prices
Channel3000 News ^ | May 18, 2026 | Channel 3000 Staff

Posted on 05/18/2026 6:29:07 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin

MADISON, WI - Gas prices are up more than 50% since the war with Iran began, pushing more Americans to rethink how they get around.

Public transportation is seeing a noticeable bump: Amtrak reports a 5% increase in passengers in March compared to a year ago.

With jet fuel costs climbing and airfares rising about 15%, long-distance travelers are especially drawn to bus trips right now. Trailways, the largest network of bus companies in the U.S., saw a 5% increase in March year-over-year.

Trailways President Alex Berardi confirms the increase is related to gas with the accelerated numbers in April, "We see April also up 9% — that’s when we know it’s not just natural growth. This is from the gas prices,” Berardi said.

E-scooters and bikes replacing car trips

The shift isn’t just for cross-country travel. Micromobility — like shared e-scooters and bikes is also growing.

The e-scooter and bike company Veo says that in a late March survey, 68% of respondents reported replacing car rides with e-scooters and bikes.

Veo reports "73% said shared scooters and bikes are cheaper than driving when gas prices are high."

In the Greater Madison area — including Fitchburg, McFarland and Monona — B-cycle now operates more than 525 bikes across 120+ stations.

Riders can find station locations using the system’s online map, The process is simple: download the app, find a bike on the map, grab and ride. The station map also allows riders to check nearby bike routes.

As prices remain high, transportation experts say consumers may continue leaning on public transit and shared mobility to avoid the volatility at the gas pump.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Conspiracy; History; Local News
KEYWORDS: americansaredumb; brandon; gasoline; local
Message from Jim Robinson:

Dear FRiends,

We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.

If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you,

Jim


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-68 next last
To: Diana in Wisconsin

If you just buy gas and use the restroom, Buc-ee’s is a great deal. My son says I am cheating them.


41 posted on 05/18/2026 8:04:17 AM PDT by alternatives?
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: alternatives?; Leaning Right

“No Pearl Harbor”

I guess 2,977 people dying on 9-11 doesn’t count


42 posted on 05/18/2026 8:05:04 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leave)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: woodbutcher1963; Leaning Right

Gas is currently running $3.99 by me. The Kwik Trip is still full. People are still buying gas. And milk, eggs, butter, bread, cheap bananas and Glazer doughnuts. :)

We’ll have to see how many cancel Memorial Day travel plans, but I’m thinking not many will do so.

However, the Enemy Media WILL find a few Socialist Democrats to rail against President Trump and faithfully report on it; of THAT I’m sure! *SMIRK*


43 posted on 05/18/2026 8:07:08 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: PAR35

Yes, Gas Buddy is a great site. It’s currently $3.99 for us at the Kwik Trip.


44 posted on 05/18/2026 8:09:51 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: qam1

“Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. Nuclear weapons are the greatest single threat to our country, but to the entire world.” (11/3/24)
“I would have been very good to Iran. They — I had to have one thing, no nuclear weapons. You can’t have nuclear weapon. Nuclear weapons are the greatest danger to our country going forward, to the world going forward.” (10/29/24)
“And all I wanted was Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon … That’s all I wanted. Very simple. You can’t have a nuclear weapon.” (10/28/24)
“We don’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” (10/23/24)
“I didn’t want much. I wanted Iran to be very successful. I just don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon.” (10/16/24)
“You can’t let them have a nuclear weapon.” (10/14/24)
“I just don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple.” (10/10/24)
“I only wanted one thing. You can’t have a nuclear weapon. You cannot let them have a nuclear weapon.” (10/7/24)
“No, they can’t have nukes. No, they can’t have nukes.” (10/7/24)
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon — and now they’re very close to having one and it’s very dangerous for the world, very dangerous for the world … The biggest problem today, in my opinion, the biggest risk is the nuclear weapons.” (10/1/24)
“All I want them to do is not have a nuclear weapon. They can’t have a nuclear weapon.” (9/30/24)
“The only thing is [Iran] cannot have nuclear weapons.” (9/26/24)
“I wanted one thing from Iran — no nuclear weapon. I didn’t want much — no nuclear weapon. And now they’re very close to getting it, and you can’t let that happen.” (9/19/24)
“All we want is we don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon. Very simple. That’s all we want. We don’t want you to have a nuclear weapon.” (9/17/24)
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon. We just can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. I’ll say this. If they do have a nuclear weapon, Israel is gone. It’ll be gone.” (8/27/24)
“I don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon.” (8/23/24)
“I just wanted to have a deal with Iran, very simple deal — can’t have a nuclear weapon. That’s it.” (8/23/24)
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. And we were all set to make sure that they don’t have a nuclear weapon. Because once they do, it’s a whole different world, it’s a whole different negotiation.” (8/15/24)
“Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon — it’s very simple.” (8/8/24)
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon.” (8/5/24)
“Iran should not have a nuclear weapon … Iran should never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.” (7/10/24)
“The main thing is Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. That was my main thing. The deal was a simple deal. Iran can’t have a nuclear. You know, it can’t have a missile, it can’t have a nuclear missile. It cannot have that nuclear capability.” (6/20/24)
“We have a very hostile country that wants nuclear weapons. You can’t let that happen.” (6/15/24)
“Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. They would never have had even close to a nuclear weapon. They are very close to getting a nuclear weapon. You cannot let that happen.” (5/15/24)
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon — very simple. They cannot have a nuclear weapon.” (5/1/24)
“You can’t let Iran have nuclear weapons.” (4/30/24)
“Iran wanted to make a deal, and what the deal — 90% of the deal that I want to make is no nuclear weapon. That’s 90% — almost 100%. It might be 100%. That’s all I want. No nuclear weapon for Iran” (3/25/24)
“I want everybody to be happy. They just can’t have a nuclear weapon.” (2/23/24)
“I just didn’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon. I said, ‘You know, we’re going to make a great deal. Everybody’s going to be happy. You’re going to be rich as hell again. Everything’s going to be great, but you cannot have a nuclear weapon.’” (1/20/24)
“They cannot have a nuclear weapon. That was the only thing — the one thing I said, ‘You cannot have.’” (1/5/24)
“I just don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon.” (1/5/24)
“They will have, within a short period of time, nuclear weapons — and that is never something that can be allowed to happen.” (12/30/23)
“No nuclear weapons. You can’t have nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons are the single greatest threat to this world.” (11/9/23)
“They can’t have a nuclear weapon. That’s all. They can’t have nuclear weapons. It’s too destructive, too powerful. They can’t have it.” (10/29/23)
“Don’t let Iran have nuclear weapons. That’s my only thing I have to tell you today. Don’t let them have it.” (10/16/23)
“No nuclear weapons. You can’t give [Iran] nuclear weapons.” (7/15/23)
“You cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. You cannot let it happen because bad things will happen if that happens.” (6/24/23)
“IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!” (1/6/20)
“Iran cannot have Nuclear Weapons!” (6/22/19)
“We can’t let Iran get a nuclear weapon. We can’t do it. Can’t do it. We cannot let that happen.” (1/24/15)
“We can’t allow Iran to go nuclear.” (11/4/11)

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/74-times-president-trump-has-made-clear-that-iran-cannot-have-a-nuclear-weapon/


45 posted on 05/18/2026 8:13:41 AM PDT by Brian Griffin (Ask your Congressman to tax tariff refunds at 100% & > ~$350 to each insured vehicle owner 4 gas)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: qam1

What a DNC troll you are.


46 posted on 05/18/2026 8:16:20 AM PDT by bobbo666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

November 1979: Iranian students, backed by the regime, seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran — taking 66 Americans hostage in a 444-day standoff.
April 1983: The Islamic Jihad, an Iran-backed terrorist group, carried out a suicide car bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, killing 17 Americans.
October 1983: Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists killed 241 U.S. military personnel — including 220 U.S. Marines and 21 other service personnel — in a truck bombing at a Marine compound in Beirut.
March 1984: Iran-backed Islamic Jihad terrorists kidnapped CIA station chief William Buckley on his way to work in Beirut, ultimately killing him the following year.
September 1984: Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists killed 23 innocent people — including two American service members — in a car bomb attack at the U.S. Embassy annex in Beirut.
December 1984: Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists hijacked Kuwait Airways Flight 221 en route to Pakistan, diverting it to Tehran — where they brutally tortured and killed two American officials.
June 1985: Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists hijacked TWA Flight 847 on its way from Athens to Rome, torturing a U.S. Navy diver before shooting him point blank in the head and tossing his body onto the Beirut airport tarmac.
July 1989: Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists killed U.S. Marine Col. William Higgins after kidnapping him the previous year while serving with a United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon.
April 1995: Iran-backed Islamic Jihad terrorists killed eight people — including one American citizen — in a car bomb attack in the Gaza Strip.
August 1995: An Iran-backed Hamas suicide bomber blew up a bus in Jerusalem, killing an American and three other passengers, and wounding more than 100 others.
February 1996: An Iran-backed Hamas suicide bomber blew up another bus in Jerusalem, killing three Americans and wounding three other Americans.
March 1996: A suicide bomber linked to the Iran-backed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist groups killed 20 people — including two Americans — in a suicide bombing at a Tel Aviv shopping center.
May 1996: Iran-backed terrorists killed an American-Israeli dual citizen and wounded another American citizen in the West Bank.
June 1996: Iran-backed Hezbollah Al-Hijaz terrorists killed 19 U.S. Airmen and wounded nearly 500 others in a truck bombing at a U.S. Air Force housing complex in Saudi Arabia.
September 1997: Iran-backed Hamas suicide bombers blew themselves up at a shopping mall in Jerusalem, killing an American-Israeli dual citizen and wounding seven other American citizens.
August 1998: Al-Qaeda suicide bombers, facilitated by Iran-backed Hezbollah, simultaneously bombed U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, killing 224 people — including a dozen American citizens.
August 2001: An Iran-backed Hamas terrorist blew up a Jerusalem pizzeria, killing three Americans.
January 2002: An Iran-backed al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade terrorist killed an American-Israeli dual citizen in the West Bank.
July 2002: An Iran-backed Hamas terrorist killed five Americans in a bombing at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
June 2003: An Iran-backed Hamas suicide bomber killed 17 people — including an American citizen — on a bus in Jerusalem.
October 2003: Iran-backed Popular Resistance Committees terrorists killed three U.S. diplomatic personnel in a bombing in Gaza.
Between 2003 and 2011: Iran-backed militias killed at least 603 U.S. troops in Iraq — “roughly one in every six American combat fatalities in Iraq.”
August 2003: An Iran-backed Hamas terrorist blew up a bus in Jerusalem, killing five Americans and wounding one other American.
August 2006: Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorists killed American citizen and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier Michael Levin during the Second Lebanon War — the only American to die in the conflict.
January 2007: A dozen men affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force killed five U.S. soldiers and wounded three others in Karbala, Iraq, after disguising themselves as U.S. soldiers and entering the Provincial Joint Coordination Center.
March 2007: Former FBI Agent Robert Levinson disappeared in Iran, likely dying in an Iranian prison.
July 2014: Iran-backed Hamas terrorists killed two American citizens serving in the IDF.
October 2015: Iran-backed Hamas terrorists killed an American citizen and his wife in a drive-by shooting in the West Bank.
December 2019: Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah terrorists killed an American civilian contractor and wounded several U.S. service members in a rocket attack at K1 Air Base in Kirkuk, Iraq.
January 2020: 109 U.S. troops suffered traumatic brain injuries in an Iranian ballistic missile attack on the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq.
September 2020: U.S. intelligence indicated the Iranian regime was considering a plot to assassinate the U.S. Ambassador to South Africa.
February 2021: An Iran-backed militia fired a rocket at coalition forces in Erbil, Iraq, wounding a U.S. service member and four U.S. civilian contractors.
July 2021: Iranian-backed militias wounded two U.S. service members in a series of rocket and drone attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
September 2022: An Iranian rocket attack killed an American citizen in Iraqi Kurdistan.
November 2022: An IRGC captain orchestrated the killing of an American citizen in Baghdad.
March 2023: An Iranian drone attack killed an American contractor and wounded five U.S. service members and another contractor in a strike on a coalition base in Syria.
October 2023: Iran-backed Hamas terrorists killed 46 Americans and kidnapped at least 12 Americans in the October 7th massacre.
December 2023: Iran-backed militias wounded three U.S. service members in an attack on Erbil Air Base in Iraq.
January 2024: Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah terrorists killed three U.S. service members and wounded more than 40 other service members in a drone attack against the Tower 22 military base in Jordan.
Between October 2023 and November 2024: Iran and its proxies conducted more than 180 attacks against U.S. forces in the Middle East, wounding more than 180 U.S. service members and killing three service members.
November 2024: An Iranian national and IRGC asset was charged for plotting to assassinate President Trump.
June 2025: Iran-backed militias attacked at least three U.S. bases in Syria and two U.S. bases in Iraq.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/03/the-iranian-regimes-decades-of-terrorism-against-american-citizens/


47 posted on 05/18/2026 8:16:40 AM PDT by Brian Griffin (Ask your Congressman to tax tariff refunds at 100% & > ~$350 to each insured vehicle owner 4 gas)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

No, the Iran war is not the source of gas price rise, that is MSM lies.

Some outfits are gouging, yeah. But, the only places where prices legitimately rise is those who imported oil. CaCaLand is a prime example. War cut off the CCP’s access to oil — oil which was then transhipped to my state. Why? ‘Cause Newscum closed down all local access/creation and then did a deal with the CCP. Oops.
But, the DNC could not care less. After all, their allies in power are funded by gov’mt. Your tax $$.


48 posted on 05/18/2026 8:19:44 AM PDT by bobbo666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: V_TWIN

“I guess 2,977 people dying on 9-11 doesn’t count”

Two points.

That was almost 25 years ago. It seems a long time to be responding.

My recollection was almost all the hijackers had Saudi passports.


49 posted on 05/18/2026 8:20:30 AM PDT by alternatives?
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: V_TWIN

You raise a good point regarding 9/11. As I’m sure you’d agree, 9/11 was another Pearl Harbor moment. It rallied the nation behind George W. Bush.

Bush botched the job, but I guess that’s for another thread.

But there is no direct connection between 9/11 and Iran. As I mentioned earlier, it can be fairly argued that Trump is trying to prevent another such attack.

Acting to prevent something might be a very good idea. But it’s not a Pearl Harbor moment. So many folks are going to be skeptical, especially if the war drags on.

(Please don’t kill the messenger.)


50 posted on 05/18/2026 8:22:29 AM PDT by Leaning Right
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Taking the boat out on the lake instead of driving a car. It’s summer. You should see the price of gas at the marinas?


51 posted on 05/18/2026 8:24:25 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Leaning Right

I see it more as Trump sees a unique opportunity to totally reshape the region, and if he doesn’t do it now, it will never happen.


52 posted on 05/18/2026 8:25:03 AM PDT by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: bobbo666

> the Iran war is not the source of gas price rise, that is MSM lies <

Gas prices are rising everywhere. Anyway, I’m not talking about facts here. I’m talking about the public’s perception of those facts. And there is a great perception that it’s all Trump’s fault.

As you noted, that’s largely due to MSM propaganda. No matter. I fear the squishy voters in the middle will punish the GOP this November. For that reason (among others) I hope Trump can wrap up the war soon.


53 posted on 05/18/2026 8:29:01 AM PDT by Leaning Right
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Its a temporary problem.Morons respond to temporary problems with more permanent solutions. Like buying a stupid electric car.


54 posted on 05/18/2026 8:30:03 AM PDT by anton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

I voted for Trump and would never vote democrat even if they gave gasoline away free. Gas is up. So I drive a little less. Trump has cut illegal immigration, saving us a lot of money.


55 posted on 05/18/2026 8:33:19 AM PDT by I want the USA back (America is once again GREAT! Blue Lives Matter! White lives matter. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Everyone should run out and buy electric cars and trucks.

Especially dont buy Ford F-150s. My wife says I need a new one, and if y’all dont buy any for a couple of months, maybe the price will come down where i can afford one.

Just kidding. Gas and diesel will go down a bit soon.


56 posted on 05/18/2026 8:38:50 AM PDT by Cincinnatus.45-70 (What do DemocRats enjoy more than a truckload of dead babies? Unloading them with a pitchfork!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tell It Right

Glad it works well for you guys. But, as we know, circumstances. Your mileage may vary. 😂👍


57 posted on 05/18/2026 8:46:22 AM PDT by rktman (Destroy America from within? On hold! Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🚫💉! 🇮🇱🙏! Winning currently!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

You seem to forget that Brando is not in the office anymore. He was kicked to the curb. He wasn’t doing a good job so they fired him.


58 posted on 05/18/2026 9:11:04 AM PDT by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: chiller

Unfortunately, most people in this country work paycheck to paycheck and don’t have an extra hundred dollars laying around. Luckily everybody on this site does so we’re good. But we’re a small percentage of the population.


59 posted on 05/18/2026 9:14:05 AM PDT by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Next month we’ll be driving from MD to CO. We’re planning to take my 4wd pickup with a rooftop tent camper. It gets about 16 mph highway.

We will have the option of my wife’s small SUV that gets 30, but we’ll be more minutes in our adventures with that. So truck it will be.


60 posted on 05/18/2026 9:28:55 AM PDT by cyclotic (Don’t be part of the problem. Be the entire problem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-68 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson