Local businesses hit hard by record diesel costs

Local businesses hit hard by record diesel costs

BEDFORD, Va. (WDBJ) - To the average person, it’s just the rumble of a heavy engine. But to Bradley Bays, owner of Bays Boys Trash Removal, it’s the sound of money draining straight from his wallet.

Diesel prices pushing near six dollars a gallon are forcing local fleet operators across our region to make tough choices just to keep their vehicles moving.

“Diesel is right at $2.25 a gallon higher than it was 12 months ago, which translates down to the day about $600 a day more that we’re spending than we were 12 months ago,” Bays said.

Fueling his fleet of 25 trucks now costs roughly $9,000 every single week. To curb the bleeding, Bays said his drivers are tightening routes as much as possible.

“We do have a lot of discussions on, ‘Hey, let’s minimize any additional trips. Let’s make sure we’re going straight to, straight back, and not wasting any more than what we have to for sure,’” Bays explained.

Now, that financial strain is trickling down to consumers.

Bays Boys recently sent a letter notifying customers of a new fuel surcharge designed to offset record diesel expenses.

“We held off as long as we could, thinking that maybe in th...