If Gas hit $5.00

[fuji]

I was having a debate with a buddy the other day.

The topic of debate was, "would people (civilians, not businesses like couriers or truckers) stop driving if gas hit $5.00?"

I personally think very few people will stop driving. my guess would be around 5-10% only.

What about you? Would you stop driving and seek public transportation?


[size=-2]Sorry, thread inflation![/size]

 

[whollycheeses]

What about you? Would you stop driving and seek public transportation?


[size=-2]Sorry, thread inflation![/size]

If/when gas hits $5, the TTC cash fare will be $10 - $15 so I'll still drive.

 

[Capoeira]

Um... this is my thread, wtf?

 

[GrandBlasterK]

We'll all be riding Bixi bikes soon.

 

[T.O.tourist]

No..

 

[fuji]

At $5 or $10/litre a lot of people would start to make lifestyle adjustments. Instead of commuting an hour each way to work to live in a bigger house, they'd opt for a smaller house that's only a 15min drive from work, or they would find a home near the Go train, or work form home more. Those in the city would start taking the TTC, cycling, and walking to work, and many would relocate their homes so as to be able to do that more often.

The whole concept of surburban "bedroom cities" would die off as that lifestyle depends on driving.

The reality is that right now as much as people bitch about the price of gas it's still not so expensive that they're willing to make any lifestyle changes, which means that really it's not so expensive.

 

[HOF]

I'm stuck on the concept that Fuji has a buddy?

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

If Gas hit $5.00

You should really change thread title to not if, but when gas hits $5.00 a litre

 

[fuji]

You should really change thread title to not if, but when gas hits $5.00 a litre

Hey take it up with Capoeira, it's his thread! It really is... I just applied a little inflation.

 

[blackrock13]

I'm stuck on the concept that Fuji has a buddy?

Yuh? SNAP!!!! Now back to reality.

 

[bandit2238]

I would drive to and from work, but probably not much else. The economy would be in the dumpers anyways so i might not have a job to go to

 

[TeasePlease]

Start buying property along and around major public transit lines.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

I expect a boom in condo buildings being built downtown Toronto, bpeople just cant afford to live in suburbs anymore and commute in their car back and forth daily

 

[Safdar]

If gas hits $5 per litre gas is not the only thing you will be worrying about. The price of any products or services that involve transport or require gasoline to produce will drastically increase.

 

[fuji]

If gas hits $5 per litre gas is not the only thing you will be worrying about. The price of any products or services that involve transport or require gasoline to produce will drastically increase.

Yes but there would also be adaptation. People would also start substituting products that have low transportation costs in place similar products with high transportation costs. The retail industry would reshape its distribution lines to be more fuel efficient, with greater reliance on rail and shipping, and less on truck transport. You would also expect to see an increasing number of electric (read coal/nuclear powered) rail lines and such. So it wouldn't be as straight forward as you imagine--but it certainly would drive changes.

 

[red]

I'm stuck on the concept that Fuji has a buddy?

his buddy doesn't know fuji is fucking his wife

 

[Questor]

I expect a boom in condo buildings being built downtown Toronto, bpeople just cant afford to live in suburbs anymore and commute in their car back and forth daily

Well, first of all, you are about 5 years too late on that prediction. Condo construction downtown has been booming at least that long. Take a look at Queens Quay and Liberty Village. And its not just downtown. Have you had a look on Yonge St from 401 to Finch Ave? Or along Sheppard Ave from Bayview to Don Mills? For sure this condo boom will continue as density continues to increase.

Second of all, not all jobs are downtown. Yes, there are way too many people who live in the 'burbs and commute downtown. But there are a lot of people who live in Richmond Hill, Vaugan, Mississauga etc and work there. Just as there are a lot of people who live downtown and work uptown, even if the numbers are nearly as high. Public transit needs to be beefed up so that people can get around the city without spending $300 a week - that's just one tank of gas at $5 a liter. And yes, people need to live closer to where they work.

$1.40 a liter is just the start. Sure, gas dropped 6 cents a liter over night. But it will be back up there this summer. Next summer? $2? Who knows, but it will get there. People like to complain about these short term spikes. Long term, they will make changes in their lifestyle, like moving into a condo closer to work and buying a more fuel efficient car, car pooling or taking public transit.

 

[Questor]

If gas hits $5 per litre gas is not the only thing you will be worrying about. The price of any products or services that involve transport or require gasoline to produce will drastically increase.

Absolutely correct. What you are predicting is the decline of globalization. A lot of those jobs that have gone to China, India and Mexico will come back home because it will be too expensive to ship the products to market. That too is a good thing.

 

[fuji]

his buddy doesn't know fuji is fucking his wife

Hypothetically. There was a pretty big caveat on that thread that you're glossing over--namely, that it would have to be impossible to be caught. I did point out on that thread that this is not a condition that can be met in the real world, making it a purely academic question--an intellectual thought experiment to analyze a moral question.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Well, first of all, you are about 5 years too late on that prediction. Condo construction downtown has been booming at least that long. Take a look at Queens Quay and Liberty Village. And its not just downtown. Have you had a look on Yonge St from 401 to Finch Ave? Or along Sheppard Ave from Bayview to Don Mills? For sure this condo boom will continue as density continues to increase

I know that, I myself live downtown.

My point is we might see sucha massive boom like you never seen before once gas hits 4$ or $5 a litre.
A documentary called 'End of Suburbia' is the worst case scenario (I dont think it'll be quite that bad though):