Petrol price increases

The Department of Energy announced that the price of petrol would be increasing by 47 cents a litre from Wednesday, June 3.

The price of diesel will rise by between 46 and 49 cents per litre, while illuminating paraffin will cost 56 cents more per litre.

According to the Department of Energy, the main reason for the fuel price increase is the high crude oil prices, which resulted in higher prices for all the petroleum products in the international markets in May 2015 compared to April 2015.

With the sudden rise in fuel prices many consumers are already wondering whether food prices and taxi fares will follow.

According to the Vryheid Taxi Owners Association there is no need for local taxi commuters to worry yet.

Although a meeting was scheduled between the taxi owners and the Bhekuzulu Residents Association no decision has been made final yet.

According to Mr Mbatha who is the Vice-Chairperson of the Taxi Owners Association, the association no longer makes such decisions without governmental intervention.

“The rule that was set out by the government was that taxi fares would only be going up once in July every year unless otherwise stated,” said Mr Mbatha.

Local taxi commuters can breathe a sigh of relief in the meantime.