As gas prices continue soaring, rideshare drivers in San Diego are feeling the pinch at the pump. “It’s very bad … very bad, very bad for everybody, the drivers and the customer … everybody,” cab driver Eduardo Castaldi said. The high gas prices are making his job very difficult, acc ording to him. He now has to work 12 hours to make the profits he used to make in an eight-hour shift. Castaldi said that’s because many riders want a lower fare, but it often doesn’t compensate for the high gas prices. He’s not alone. Rideshare drivers like Fernando Valenzuela also share in the struggle. “That’s really terrible … just wasting your time waiting for a good ride and you don’t receive any ride,” Valenzuela said. He said he’s considering quitting rideshare driving altogether because the cost of the fares do not offset what he pays at the pump. “It’s very low, man.Twenty minutes, five dollars,” he said. President Trump blamed the high gas prices on the Iranian regime for its attacks against commercial oil tankers. Here in San Diego, the average gas price today was $5.93, that’s a $1.05 jump from a year ago, according to Kandace Redd, a spokesperson for AAA. Redd said crude oil prices are the highest levels in nearly two years. She added that crude oils have spiked again because of the conflict in Iran and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “Yes, drivers can expect to pay more for gas and that’s because 60% of what we pay at the pump is tied directly to the price of crude oil,” Redd said. So, when can we expect gas prices to go down? “It depends on how long the conflict lasts in Iran as well as how the market responds,” Redd said. Meanwhile, Lyft announced a 60-day program to help drivers get some relief. It runs from March 27 through May 26. Uber said they’re also offering incentives and promotions to give drivers some relief. ...read more read less