How gas and diesel prices are hitting Islanders, and why they're so high

Prince Edward Islanders may be starting to think about leaving their vehicles in the driveway more often, but they won't be able to entirely avoid the impact of high prices for gas and diesel.

Prices have been breaking records throughout the spring. Gas, at $2.108, is sitting at a record high. Diesel, at $2.424, is down from a record high at the end of April but still 90 per cent higher than it was a year ago.

Mike Cassidy, owner of T3 Transit, said he is seeing signs that Islanders are making the decision to let someone else do the driving for them. March and April were the busiest months ever for the transit service in Charlottetown.

Rural routes are getting busier too. Cassidy told Island Morning the company witnessed a first on Tuesday.

"Our Charlottetown to Summerside rural transit bus, leaving Charlottetown at 6:25 in the morning, for the first time since 2008, sold out in Hunter River," Cassidy said.

Fortunately, since rural routes usually have people driving to the bus stop, someone stepped up to drive the extra passengers into Summerside, he said.

The further people have to travel on a commute, said Cassidy, the more they can save by taking a bus.

With changes happening quickly the company is doing what it can to keep up.

"We are trying to determine how to adjust our business model," said Cassidy.

"Extra units, bigger units, but definitely we are seeing the behaviour change."

While Islanders can save some money by taking the bus, or choosing to walk or cycle, there will be some extra costs they can't escape.

Inflation is high across Canada, and not just directly for fuel. The increase in the consumer price index excluding fuel is about the same for both Canada and P.E.I., around five and a half per cent. Part of what is driving that increase is the cost of shipping.

Scott Annear, co-owner and general manager of Morley Annear, a trucking company based in Brudenell in eastern P.E.I., said since early December the rates he is charging have almost doubled.

And while that covers the higher cost of diesel, there are problems it doesn't solve.