Rising gas prices leave a mark on Tampa businesses - WFLA-TV Newschannel 8

Rising gas prices leave a mark on Tampa businesses

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Its seems like each day, the price of gas inches upward.  While no one is sure whether it will level out, drop, or keep rising, one things certain, we all have to pay the price.  But that rising price is affecting some drivers, more than others.  A pass by any gas station may send "sign shock" to most drivers.

But what does that mean for people who have to buy gas as part of their job, like cab drivers.  Cab driver David Hernandez says,"its like taking the part of a paycheck, its affecting us a lot."  Cabbies pay for their own gas, no matter the amount.  So by nature, they keep a close watch on the price at the pump.  "When you're looking at that price it makes a difference, because the higher it goes, the less you make in a day, especially big cars like this takes a lot of gas." added Hernandez.

Hernandez and other cabbies lining up for fares at Tampa international airport must fork over whatever the price to drive their cabs.  "There is no choice said Gabriel Jabiri, "we have to pay for it, if we don't pay we don't work, because we pay everything from our pocket."

Delivery drivers are also caught in the pinch, whether they are delivering pizzas or flowers.  Floral distributor Troy Parks said, "we have tried to absorb it for some time, but I think we have all come to a point where we can't keep absorbing it." 

Even the owner at Apple Blossom's floral designs is feeling the effects of higher gas prices.  Scott Darhower has been forced to reduce the size of his shop's delivery zone.  "We used to extend our deliveries further out, so now we are charging more to go outside of our delivery area, as opposed to keeping it all as one price before" said Darhower.

So for some people who make their money on the road, the rising cost of gas is putting a big dent in their take home pay.  Cab driver Sonny Cange says. "sometimes you go home for the whole week a hundred dollars and with all the expenses, you can't make a living like that."  So people who drive for a living are hoping that the price of gas goes down, so it won't continue to affect their bottom line.

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