Shell Gas Station – London Ont., Oxford St. and Waterloo St.
Students at Fanshawe College say rising gas prices are adding financial pressure as they balance tuition, living expenses and the cost of commuting to campus.
Fuel prices across Canada have climbed roughly 10 cents per litre in recent days as global oil markets respond to escalating tensions in the Middle East. Analysts say instability in the region can disrupt oil supplies and push fuel prices higher, often translating into higher pump prices for Canadian drivers.
For students who rely on their vehicles to get to school, the increase has come as an unwelcome surprise.
Fanshawe student Abby said she first heard about the jump in gas prices from her father and was shocked by how quickly fuel costs had risen.
“My dad told me about it yesterday and I was horrified by how much it had went up,” she said.
She added that the increase is especially stressful during a busy time in the academic year.
“It’s definitely adding more stress, especially during midterm season and paying for tuition,” Abby said. “Trying to get to school shouldn’t be $1.50 per litre.”
Abby recently bought a car and said the higher prices have already made her think more carefully about transportation costs.
“I bought a car recently and now trying to afford the gas where it’s going to be more,” she said, adding that while she has taken public transit before, she would prefer not to rely on it unless gas prices continue to climb.
Abby (On the Right)- Student at Fanshawe College
Horticulture student Jada said she noticed the increase while driving to campus earlier in the day.
“When I was driving earlier this morning, I was actually quite shocked to see that it had gone up so high,” she said.
To cope with rising fuel costs, Jada said she looks for ways to spend less when filling her tank.
“I try to find the stations with the lowest prices,” she said. “I use apps like GasBuddy to see where the cheapest gas is.”
She added that she sometimes waits until later in the week to fill up when prices may drop slightly.
Despite the higher costs, Jada said switching to public transit is not always a practical option.
Students Arriving at Fanshawe Via LTC.
“It’s really hard to get around with the public transit system right now,” she said. “Sometimes you just have to keep paying for gas.”
Dante, also a student at Fanshawe, said the increase adds to the broader financial pressures many students already face.
“Pretty rough. It just adds more expenses,” he said. “Makes me want to take the bus a bit more.”
He added that higher fuel costs contribute to the rising cost of living for students.
“Yeah, it definitely adds more to the cost of living,” Dante said.
Some students say if gas prices continue to rise, they may consider driving less often or using alternatives such as public transit or carpooling to reduce expenses.
