Gasoline Discount Urged for Seniors and Disabled

Restaurants, movie theaters and hotels offer them.

Now a Los Angeles consumer group wants oil companies to give discounts on gasoline to senior citizens and the disabled.

“It’s the American way,” said the Rev. Lowe Barry, chairman of Citizens Against High Gas Prices. “If mom-and-pop stores can do it, so can the oil companies.”

On Wednesday, group leaders called for oil companies to knock off 10% for what they termed the most vulnerable of consumers.

But so far, the companies have not heeded--or even responded to--the group’s call.

Executives of Los Angeles-based Atlantic Richfield Co. rejected the discount idea but agreed to attend a series of community meetings to explain what drives gas-price fluctuations and to give tips on how to reduce fuel bills. Among them: Comparison-shop, drive slower to increase mileage, and keep cars running efficiently with regular tuneups.

Arco also may give meeting attendees gasoline cards worth $5 or $10 apiece, company spokesman Paul Langland said.

“We’re just trying to respond to the L.A. community,” he said. “We’re one of the few oil companies with our headquarters here.”

Leaders of Citizens Against High Gas Prices said they launched their campaign in part to rejuvenate public awareness of gasoline prices, which have fluctuated wildly in the last nine months. During that time, the price for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in California has ranged from a low of $1.099 a gallon in February to a peak of $1.624 in April.

The group tried to organize a one-day gas boycott but failed to make much of a ripple. Members hope their new, more targeted approach will galvanize consumers, especially because California prices are again on the rise. Self-serve regular unleaded averaged $1.531 a gallon last week, up 3.4 cents over the previous week.

“You just don’t mess with old folks,” said James Mays, the group’s co-chairman.