Detroit lawn crews battle rising gas prices, adapt to survive

Rising gas prices are hitting Detroit’s neighborhood lawn crews where it hurts — at the pump. With Metro Detroit averaging nearly $4.78 a gallon, some small business owners are adding more clients and routes to offset costs, while others have introduced fuel surcharges just to keep their operations running. Richard Taylor, owner of TaylorMade Lawn and Fence, says what he pays to fuel his equipment has more than doubled this season — now running him about $375 a week.