You might see higher prices at the pump this weekend. Gas experts say there's a 50% chance gas will go up to $3.00 this weekend. Gas Analyst, Patrick DeHann with Gasbuddy.com, told FOX Fort Wayne gas hasn't been at $3.00a gallon in Fort Wayne since 2008. He's predicating higher prices could last all winter.
FOX Fort Wayne also spoke with, Phillip Coomer, the owner of Club Car Limousine and Trolley. He operates a fleet of 21 cars. High gas prices mean more out of his pocket. Coomer says “It's obviously impacts our bottom line. The cost goes up. It's something we've been through before. A couple years ago, it actually got up to $5.00 a gallon, which was pretty heavy.”
Coomer makes sure they're all filled up when gas is on the rise. Coomer says “When we know a big raise is coming in, yes we like to tank them all.” He's not alone. Many locals rushed to the pumps.
So why gas prices going up now? Dehann says “We've seen the wholesale prices increase quite a bit this week. A lot of the reason was there was a refinery fire at a plant in the Chicago area.”
DeHann also say the fire's impact should die down soon. But gas prices could be higher all winter. That's because this week oil traded at $87.00 a barrel, higher than the past few months. DeHann says “Now that we have broken out of that target range we may see prices accelerate and kind of continue to increase.”
DeHann say gas could reach $3.00 a gallon, without customers ever knowing it. That's because gas stations occasionally opt to take the hit instead of passing it onto the customer in the hopes that they won’t discourage customers from filling up.
