Today I saw this headline in the Joongang Daily:
I figured it was perhaps about single taxi drivers looking for love. Nope. It's about the rising cost of gas and having fewer customers who opt for public transportation instead. From the report:
Yep, gas prices are hurting everyone around the world - I'm very thankful I don't have a car to fill up! I love being able to walk to work as well. Short distance + daily exercise + free = happiness!“In recent weeks, the volume of Seoul’s traffic has decreased significantly and the roads are much less crowded wherever I go,” said a taxi driver, who said he has had fewer passengers as people cut expenditures across the board to cope with rising oil prices. “This has led to a decrease in customers. I see more crowded bus stops, with fewer people waving down taxis.”
"The average price of gasoline at Seoul’s gas stations last week was 2,009 won per liter ($6.80 per gallon), exceeding the 2,000 won mark for the first time in 34 months, according to the Korea National Oil Corporation"Yes - $6.80 a gallon! And you were complaining about your $3.50 prices in the U.S....
Although, this has the domino effect. Higher gas prices = higher costs for just about everything. Thankfully, local restaurant prices haven't risen that much because most of it is domestic. Good prices in the grocery stores have because a lot of it shipped in from other countries.
Japan's recent earthquake has had some effect on the economy as well, especially computer components for Samsung and LG which are made in Japan. I hope you weren't planning on purchasing a new TV anytime soon!
No comments:
Post a Comment