By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Pain at the pump is hitting Southern Arizona drivers hard, and for those who make their living behind the wheel, every cent added to the gallon is coming out of their pockets.
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Average gas prices in Arizona climbed another three cents overnight, bringing the statewide average for regular fuel to $4.82 per gallon. In Pima County, drivers are paying an average of $4.64 a gallon, up $1.41 from last year.
For local rideshare and taxi drivers, the spike is making it increasingly difficult to stay afloat.
“Historically, around this time is when we start to see gas prices fall. After Labor Day, people are in their routines, kids are going back to school, but obviously this year is not like past years,” said David Caltabiano, spokesperson for AAA.
AAA attributes much of the unseasonal climb to geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran, which continue to drive up crude oil markets and daily pump rates.
For Uber driver Rudolpho Baldez, the cost of doing business has completely transformed over the past year.
“There was a point where it was at $2.80, and today it was at $4.84, and so basically you’re losing out on almost anywhere from 60 to 100 bucks extra profit on a daily basis,” Baldez said.
Other drivers say daily fuel expenses are eating through the majority of their fares. Jose Navarro, who drives for Uber, said it costs him roughly $50 a day just to keep his tank full.
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“I’m probably making $120 a day hustling; it’s hard right now,” Navarro said. “We’re just watching every ride we do. I mean, we’re practically maintaining. We’re not making money.”
To keep up, drivers said they are forced to work longer shifts and log more miles, creating a vicious cycle.
“Work longer hours. So, we work, we drive further, and it takes more gas to drive further, so it’s a little bit of a chasing a tail,” said Kathleen, a local taxi driver.
Taxi drivers face an added hurdle: long wait times between fares while competing against app-based services. Drivers said they sometimes sit for two to six hours waiting for a single passenger—burning daylight and fuel while waiting for a fare.
“I’m not even sometimes making a living here. So, that’s why you see those guys trying to find other jobs, but we’re struggling right now. We’re suffering with the gas prices,” said local taxi driver Ali Bsoul.
While taxi drivers noted their cab companies try to offer support where they can, rideshare drivers expressed frustration with platform fee splits that leave them carrying the burden of fluctuating fuel costs.
13 News reached out to Uber for comment on what specific relief or fuel surcharges are available to support drivers during this price surge. The company has not yet responded.
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