Lawrence resident Todd Clapsaddle says the financial anguish people feel these days when they pull up to the gas pump is no match for their infatuation with cars.

“People are just crazy when it comes to that little security box on wheels,” he said.

Clapsaddle, a software engineer who commutes 18,000 miles per year to work in Olathe – he’s done the math – said he has yet to see signs of his fellow commuters changing their ways because of climbing gas prices, which reached about $2.59 in Lawrence this week. He said many of his co-workers lived in Lawrence but were still reluctant to carpool.

“If gas prices tripled, it wouldn’t matter because it’s about priorities. Gas comes first to get you to work,” he said.

Still, a lack of willingness to stop driving isn’t stopping people from expressing frustration about the high prices.

“Ridiculous – it is really expensive. I’m semi-retired, so I don’t do a lot of driving, but I pity people that go to work every day,” said Howard Ross after paying $16.19 at the pump. “I make certain that every trip is a necessary trip.”

Baldwin residents Daryl Barnes has a laugh as his wife, Margaret, searches for her keys in her purse Friday evening in a commuter parking lot at the Hillcrest Shopping Center. Margaret Barnes commutes daily by van, background, to Kansas City, Mo. with other local residents employed at the Federal Aviation Administration as a cost cutting measure.

And some in area transportation and labor businesses say they’re seeing subtle signs of the prices’ impact.

As a car dealership manager with Crown Chevrolet-Oldsmobile, Bob Wright said he knew higher gas prices had meant fewer sales of larger gas-guzzling vehicles.

“I think people are starting to see more of a necessity factor than getting something they really want,” he said. “When it comes right down to it, gas prices are hurting big SUV sales.”

He also said he noticed increased interest in the Toyota Prius, a hybrid-motor vehicle that can get in excess of 50 miles to the gallon in the city, according to Toyota’s Web site.

Use of Lawrence’s public transportation system has also increased in the past year, but a transit official said he had no way to be certain gas prices were a cause.

Ridership is up 16 percent over this same time last year on the Sixth Street route of the Lawrence bus system, know as the T, said Cliff Galante, Lawrence Public Transit Administrator.

The strain of higher gas prices may drive more riders to the T for shopping trips and after-school activities, he said.

• 6News video: Rising gas prices force drivers to change driving habits (08-19-05)
• Gas prices don’t slow highway patrols (08-20-05)
• Costs approach $2.60 per gallon at Lawrence stations (08-16-05)
• On the Street: Will rising gas prices give people an incentive to use public transportation? (03-05-05)
• Lawrence commuting

“In my position, with the increase in fuel prices, public transportation is a way for people to save money and utilize a city service that they are really already paying for anyway,” Galante said.

Fuel costs also hurt mobile businesses.

“It’s a little bit expensive. I’d like to see ’em come down a little bit,” said Led Graf, who runs a janitorial business. “I’m getting ready to down-size to minivans because of it. All the commuting and in-town traffic sucks more gas.”

People looking for jobs also are giving more thought to the commuting costs.

“I’m sure people are thinking about the cost of gas. Certainly when setting particular goals for job hunting, that’s got to be one of the factors,” Cheryl White, of the Lawrence Workforce Center, said.

But the high cost of gasoline isn’t hurting Electric Rider, a North Lawrence business that sells bicycles with a power assisting electric motor.

The “TidalForce” bicycle by Wave Crest has a 1,000-watt motor. It takes four hours to charge the battery, and one can ride for 20 miles at 12 mph, said Mike Dierker of Electric Rider.

“I’ll never drive unless I get out on the highway,” he said.

– 6News reporter Laura Berger contributed to this report.