Southern California gas prices on the verge of hitting $6 again
Gas prices across Southern California surged overnight, recording the largest increase since 2015 in Los Angeles County.
The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gas alone shot up nearly 12 cents overnight to $5.96, the highest price since July 18. This price has climbed for 25 consecutive days, going up 71.3 cents, with jumps of 4.1 cents on Monday and 11 cents on Sunday, according to the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.
Some stations in dense areas of Los Angeles are already above and beyond $6, like one Chevron in Hancock Park that listed regular gas for $6.69 a gallon.
Orange County is also feeling the pain at the pump, with its average price going up nearly 11 cents to $5.94, its highest since July 14. The overnight jump isn't even its highest in the past week — that average price shot up 14 cents on Sunday.
Gas prices were no cheaper in neighboring counties — Ventura County saw its average price for regular gasoline go up to $5.89, while the Inland Empire saw that same price jump to $5.82.
"A string of planned and unplanned refinery maintenance issues has severely tightened fuel supply in California," said Doug Shupe of the Automobile Club of Southern California. "West Coast fuel inventories are at the lowest level in about a decade according to Energy Information Administration."
Nationally, gas prices have also been on the rise, but Southern Californians would gladly take that increased price of $3.75 per gallon.
Southern Californians could see prices soften in November, when stations begin selling the cheaper winter-blend gas. But for now, prices continue to flirt with the dreaded $6 mark.
"Until refineries are fully operational again, supply is going to be tight," Shupe said.
Hoping to save some money, some drivers have ditched their cars in favor of public transit.
Luis Rosas decided to give public transportation a try after constantly spending $100 to fill up his gas tank. Rosas said that driving his truck from Whittier to downtown L.A. would cost him close to $20. he added that riding the train was worth every penny.
"I save $7 and I don't have to wait," he said. "I don't have to drive the car. I don't have to waste my tires, nothing."
According to Metrolink, they've seen an uptick in ridership. In June, when gas prices were low, their average weekday boardings were about 14,000. Now, that number has increased 12% to 15,600. A spokesperson said gas prices are likely among the reasons ridership is up.
"While we can't really draw a direct correlation between an increase in ridership we're seeing and high gas prices, we do know high gas prices have a tendency to push people out of their cars and seek other modes of transportation like the train," spokeswoman Karen Bakar.
Ridership numbers for September aren't available yet, but so far boardings appear to be holding steady, according to Metrolink.
