Gas gone up again…closer to $20 mark

By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – HAVING not fully recovered from recent increases in gas prices, motorists have to grapple with yet another increase that has sent the price of fuel closer to the $20 mark.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Finance regarding the “Retail Prices for Unleaded Gasoline”, informs that as of today, Friday, June 27, 2008, “the maximum retail prices at which unleaded gasoline can be sold at the respective company’s service stations” are:

 $18.59 per gallon at Delta Service Stations

 $16.18 per gallon at Shell Service Stations

 $15.29 per gallon at Texaco Service Stations

Over the past couple of months, oil prices have risen at rates that have been deemed “alarming” and according to SKNVibes’ observations, between April 17, 2008 and present, gas sold at Delta Service stations has risen by $5.16 per gallon, $2.42 at Shell Service Stations and $1.54 at Texaco Service Stations.

The drastic increases, the brunt of which rests on the shoulders of the consumer, began taking place when the government implemented the “Full Pass through System” on December 1, 2006; the principle is that consumers would absorb any fluctuations in oil prices on the international market.  ~~Adz:Right~~

Recently, an outcry from members of the public, more specifically, operators of vehicles used for public transportation, was heard for increase in fares.

While the bus operators were requesting as much as a $5.00 increase on the existing bus fares, the government approved a $0.50 increase on short drops and on distances between Basseterre and Sandy Point, a $0.50 increase on distances between Basseterre to Tabernacle and a $0.75 increase on other distances.

SKNVibes understands that meetings are still being held by the various bus associations on the island with a view to devising and or implementing plans to cushion the blow dealt to them by the rising cost of fuel.