Ticker: Massachusetts gas prices down 2 cents; free Bluebikes rides during Red Line closure
Northeast gas prices continue to slide ahead of Labor Day on a mix of positive and negative economic reports from both stateside and abroad.
The average gas price in Massachusetts on Monday was down two cents from last week ($3.42), averaging $3.40 per gallon. Monday’s price was 10 cents lower than a month ago ($3.50) and 37 cents lower than this day last year ($3.77).
The state’s average gas price is a penny lower than the national average.
Domestically, reports of stronger-than-expected consumer spending data and lower inflation figures led to a surge in oil prices early last week on increasing expectations of interest rate cuts in the short term. The enthusiasm caused the price for a barrel of oil to jump by more than $3 — the largest single-day increase in more than a year.
But by Friday, nearly all the gains in crude oil prices evaporated after Chinese authorities reported a string of weaker economic indicators, quelling optimism about future growth in global oil and gas demand from the world’s largest importer of oil. The worries far outweighed market concerns about ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“Despite market volatility on conflicting global economic data, pump prices are trending down as domestic production and supply of gasoline continues to meet demand,” said Mark Schieldrop, senior spokesperson of AAA Northeast. “Here in the Northeast, inventories of gasoline are substantially above last year’s levels to the tune of nearly 4 million barrels.”
AAA Northeast’s Monday survey of fuel prices found the current national average down three cents from last week ($3.44), averaging $3.41 a gallon. The national average price is nine cents lower than a month ago ($3.50) and 45 cents lower than this day last year ($3.86).
Free Bluebikes rides during Red Line closure
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the City of Boston are providing Bluebikes free unlock codes to provide people with an alternative mode of transportation during the MBTA Red Line closure.
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The unlocks are available to non-members of Bluebikes and can be redeemed for both traditional pedal bikes and the innovative ebikes (per minute fees apply). The unlocks offer riders five free Bluebikes pedal rides or the ability to unlock ebikes, and are available for use only during the closure through Aug. 25 and while supplies last.
Individuals can access the five free unlocks using code MBTAREDAUGUST through the Bluebikes app.