How some suburban residents are coping with high gas prices

Barbara Carbon of Geneva drove more than two dozen miles round-trip daily for her job as patient satisfaction manager at Winfield-based Central DuPage Hospital. Eventually, the stressful rush-hour traffic and soaring gasoline prices became prohibitive.

So six weeks ago, just as gasoline was hurtling toward $4 a gallon, Carbon opted for Metra.

Now, her husband drops her off at the depot each morning. She rides the train for two stops and then walks 1½ blocks to work. She stocked up on 10-ride tickets and spends roughly $3 each way, which now wouldn't even cover a gallon of gasoline.

"I plan to continue. Absolutely. I'm sold," Carbon said.

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After all, a gallon of regular gasoline in the Chicago area is hitting all-time highs almost daily.

Regular sold for an average $4.03 in Chicago, compared to $3.42 a year ago, according to Aurora-based AAA of Chicago. A Shell station in Elk Grove Village posted $4.05 Thursday.

Statewide, gasoline averaged $3.95 versus $3.35 a year ago. Nationally, it's $3.78, compared to $3.10 last year.

The higher costs include a summer blend, which is cleaner-burning fuel but more expensive to produce. But they're also a result of business and timing.

"We're seeing primarily very high oil prices and we're coming into the Memorial Day weekend and the kickoff to the summer travel season," Mosher said. "So there's a higher demand because more folks are traveling."

Carbon and many commuters cringe at those higher prices. So companies have offered ways to help employees deal with them.

Alternative work spaces, flexible schedules and job sharing are among the programs that many companies continue to offer to help off-set a pricey commute.

Schaumburg-based Motorola Inc. provides similar incentives and wireless equipment for its workforce.

"Motorola provides workplaces that allow our employees to be more mobile and flexible with how, where and when you work," said spokeswoman Kristine Mulford.

The company offers employees the option to work at a campus -- in Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Libertyville and downtown Chicago -- that's closest to their home.

"The company also provides shuttle services between all of our locations and to and from the local train stations," Mulford said. "As a resident of River North, I utilize our mobile work spaces as well as the train/Motorola shuttle to offset the rising cost of gasoline."

Kimpton Hotels in Chicago -- including the Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco -- offers a program that allows employees to purchase Metra and CTA cards using pre-tax dollars through a paycheck deduction. It also allows drivers to purchase parking passes with pre-tax dollars, spokeswoman Jennifer Navarro said.

Deerfield-based Baxter International helps subsidize a Pace van for carpooling, work-at-home programs, and up to $60-per-month reimbursement for taking Metra or other public transportation. Baxter also offers free shuttle service from depots to the office, job-sharing, telecommuting and flex time with four-day weeks instead of five to help workers ease the crunch, the company said.

Meanwhile, bicycle shops have been experiencing a lift from the higher price of gasoline.

"We're seeing more people come in for single-speed bikes, which are easy to handle," said Vince Boyer, owner of Village Cyclesport in Elk Grove Village. "They're also getting fenders, lights, racks and bags, which are all very reliable for commuting."

Boyer believes that as gasoline prices continue to increase, more likely will turn to a bicycle for commuting.

"People aren't going to randomly drive to places anymore, either," Boyer said.

Bike Line of Naperville, for example, has seen an increase in the commuter and folding bike categories, owner Ed Palasz said.

"People are starting to come to the realization that if it's not 20 miles away, they could have some fun and avoid putting gasoline in it," Palasz said. "I even take my bike and ride to the local CVS, which is about a mile away."

While major corporations offer incentives, smaller businesses do what they can.

Gail Andrews, owner of the Canterbury Shoppe in Naperville, said her employees live nearby, so the commute isn't a concern. But traveling to downtown Chicago can get pricey when buying products for her small gift shop.

"When we need to go into the city, we often carpool or take the train to save money," Andrews said.

On the other hand, some business owners cannot consider public transportation.

Jimmy Bergeron, owner of Jimmy's Grill in downtown Naperville, said he cannot change his driving habits even though the cost for fuel is soaring.

"When you own two small restaurants and have more than 100 employees, you're going from one place to the other a lot and I'm in and out at least seven times a day for appointments," Bergeron said. "So I have to have my car."