Motorists in the Tampa Bay area are paying a lot less for gasoline as growing supplies and weak demand push prices closer to $2 a gallon.
In one month, the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in the Tampa Bay area has plunged 35 percent, or $1.18, to $2.23, AAA reported Monday. A year ago, local retailers were charging $3.09 a gallon on average for the same grade of fuel.
"What we've seen is really very remarkable," said Gregg Laskoski , a spokesman for AAA Auto Club South. "For the month of October, we saw gasoline prices come down by 5 or 6 cents a day consistently."
U.S. gasoline supplies grew by more than 1 million barrels last week, to 196.1 million, according to the Department of Energy. The lower prices haven't led consumers to buy more fuel. The sour economy has been an effective deterrent.
In the Tampa Bay area, retailers were charging between $2.05 and $2.37 a gallon for regular fuel, according to Gasbuddy.com.
Russell Ray
GAS PRICES
Average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in the Tampa Bay area.
$3.41: One month ago
$2.23: Monday
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