Petrol hike – another hole in the pocket
HONEYDEW - Motorists feel they have to comply with petrol price increase.
Fuel prices were increased on 2 July.
Honeydew resident, Andrew Hankey said it is unfortunate that motorists will have to comply with the petrol price increase as alternative transport is unavailable.
“I travel every day from Honeydew to work in Pretoria. I cannot cycle from home to work or use any other means of transport except to comply,” said Hankey.
The price increase is not limited to fuel prices, but affects the price of all petroleum products.
This in turn “is due to changes in international factors, namely, crude oil prices, the rand/ dollar exchange rate and the prices of finished products,” said communications manager for the Department of Energy, Johannes Mokobane.
He added that the crude oil prices peaked at above 115 US dollars per barrel on 19 June, which led to increase in the prices of petrol, diesel, illuminating paraffin and liquefied petroleum gas in the international markets.
Mokobane said, based on current local and international factors, the fuel prices for July 2014 in the South African market will be adjusted as follows:
– Diesel has increased by 14.0 cents/ litre
– Illuminating paraffin (SMNRP) by 31.0 cents/litre
– Petrol (93 ULP and LRP) by 29.0 cents/litre
– Petrol (95 ULP and LRP) by 31.0 cents/litre
– Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 58.0 cents/kilogram
Although the department urges all motorists to continue implementing fuel efficiency measures – such as using public transport and utilising lift clubs whenever possible to ensure that they save fuel – to some it is no solution.
Dennis Dry from Little Falls said the hike in petrol price will not only affect motorist but also taxi commuters. “I have a helper coming to work for me every day. The increase will affect her salary and will cause a demand for a salary increase,” said Dry.
Peter Dinsmore from Radiokop said, although he travels only seven kilometres from home to work, the distance does not count.
“The fact that the engine is running, the short distance will still cost me and there is no public transport that I can use,” he said.
