FINANCE MINISTER: Larry Howai
'Gas hike no big deal'
By
Sue-Ann Wayow
sue-ann.wayow@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created:
Oct 1, 2012 at 10:50 PM ECT
Story Updated:
Oct 1, 2012 at 11:10 PM ECT
THE increase in the price of premium unleaded gasoline from today will have no effect on most taxis, maxi taxis or the majority of private vehicles, said Dr Afraz Ali, chairman of service station franchise Unipet.
Ali said the price hike would lead to a decrease in the sale of premium unleaded gasoline and increase in the sale of super unleaded gasoline.
A similar thing happened on the last occasion that the price of premium gasoline was increased, he said.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Larry Howai announced an increase in premium gas from $4 per litre to $5.75.
There were no changes to the price of super gas, which stays at $2.80 per litre, and diesel, which will remain at $1.50 per litre.
Ali said less than one per cent of the vehicle population will not be able to switch from the use of premium gas to super gas, because of the engine design. He said "high-end vehicles" included Porsche and some types of Mercedes-Benz.
There are an estimated 600,000 vehicles in Trinidad and Tobago.
Krishna Boodram, president of the Siparia/Erin Taxi Drivers Association, said taxi-drivers did not use premium gas because " it is light and burns out fast".
He said if the price of super gasoline went up, only then would taxi fares be increased.
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