Stephanie Farley

It takes $9.88 to put about 4.5 gallons in Megan Powell's Saturn. Powell, Topeka senior, filled up her car yesterday afternoon with the price of gas at $2.15 per gallon for unleaded gasoline at the Amoco at 23rd and Louisiana streets.

The price at the pump does not seem to be dropping any time soon. Gas prices have raised to as high as $2.13 average for the state, according to kansasgasprices.com.

Higher costs not only hit the pocketbook of patrons. They also affect the policies and sales of the businesses around Lawrence.

“We’ve had to get a little more creative in our give-aways,” said Brian Long, general manager of Zarco 66 No. 3, 900 Iowa St. “We needed to find other ways to help our customers.”

To combat the higher gas prices, Zarco and other businesses have created new incentives for choosing their stores.

Customers who buy a car wash can save up to $2.50 off the total price of gas, Long said.

“We wanted to offer more savings to our customers,” Long said. “This can help offset the cost of gas.”

Patrons who have Dillons cards can get discounts off one gallon of gas at the Dillons Gas station, 3000 W. Sixth St., and Kwik Shops throughout the city. The Hy-Vee Gas station, 4000 W. Sixth St., also offers cash back with a receipt of purchase from the Hy-Vee grocery store. Each store varies on savings.

Businesses in geographical competition with one another often adjust their prices according to the competition.

“We don’t really do any discounts,” said Mike Dressler, assistant manager of Diamond Shamrock, Ninth and Ohio Streets. “We always have low prices because of competition.”

Dressler said four gas stations were in the area, and each set its prices based on what the other gas stations were charging.

Although stores are trying to help customers when and how they can, the stores still need to receive payment.

Long said he has thought about making people prepay at the pump, which he hopes will discourage drivers from fueling without paying.

“It hasn’t been bad enough yet to start making everyone prepay,” he said.

Dressler said his station has not yet considered requiring prepayment.

Gas attendants are responsible for all cars that are filled at the station, Long said. However, gas thefts have not been on a dramatic rise for Zarco, he said.

But incentives don’t always validate high gas prices for some individuals. Bike riding, running and walking are alternatives to the rising cost of driving.

“I try and ride my bike to campus two to three times a week,” said Jenny Hoyt, Topeka senior. Her home is located near Sixth and Kasold Streets. “I’ll ride a lot more now that the weather is getting nicer.”

Long said he has seen more people walking now than in the past. But he said he has not seen a boycott on gas sales yet.

Lawrence public transit, University of Kansas transit and even motorized scooters get students to where they want to be.