The high cost of commuting

Long-distance workers dig deep to keep wheels turning

The 81-mile drive to work every morning has never seemed so long for Vianna Stewart, manager of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Land Titles and Records office in Billings.

She used to be able to hop in her Chevrolet Impala, drive a little over an hour and a half from Lodge Grass to Billings, work eight hours and drive home at night. It was a long commute, but it was doable and affordable.

Then gas prices began to soar, blasting well over the $4-a-gallon mark at their peak earlier this year. Now it costs her more than twice as much to get to work and back, and she has to spend an extra hour in Billings five days a week because others in her new carpool have different schedules.

By LORNA THACKERAY
Of The Gazette Staff

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/09/07/news/local/27-long.txt