Public: Gasoline gone down, what about goods, services?
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CONSUMERS who have borne the brunt of rising gasoline prices, which resulted in an increase in the price of many goods and services, have questioned whether or not recent decreases in gasoline prices would reflect on the price of these goods and services.
In late 2006, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis discontinued its subsidy on fuel and implemented the “full pass through system” where the fluctuations in the price of fuel would either be to the consumers’ benefit or detriment.
Since then the price of gasoline at the pumps fluctuated some and saw mostly increases with record highs of some $18 being seen.
The escalating price of gasoline soon gave way to cries from the various bus associations across the island asking for government to allow for increases in bus fares to as much as $5. The government, having met with representatives of the bus associations, sanctioned an increase of $0.50 for a ‘short drop’ and a $0.75 increase was granted for drops from Basseterre to any village past Sandy Point. These increases took effect at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2008.
Since then adults travelling from Basseterre to St. Peters have been paying $2.50 per trip, adults travelling from Basseterre to villages between Newton Ground and Belle Vue pay $3.75, and persons paid $2.50 before the increase have been paying $3:00 per trip. ~~Adz:Right~~
A release issued by the Ministry of Finance stated that as at August 26, 2008, gasoline sold at Delta, Shell and Texaco service stations stood at $17.98, $14.89 and $15.64 respectively. A more recent release, however, informs that gasoline prices at the respective pumps stand at $13.32, $10.43 and $12.24, marking decreases of at least $3.40 per gallon.
Speaking with this media house, a commuter who uses public transportation said, “I don’t understand it! When gas prices were skyrocketing the bus associations asked for an increase and they got it. I had absolutely no problem with that because everybody has to eat and has to make a living. But what bothers me now is the price of gasoline is decreasing and I am hearing nothing from the associations about bus fare. It is not even to say there is a situation where the price of gasoline had gone down once, but it’s going down every week. The bus drivers’ pockets are getting a little relief, but is that where the buck stops? What about people like me who have to catch the bus every day to get to and from work?”
Another shared similar sentiments and told SKNVibes, “Fair is fair. The price of gasoline went up and bus fare went up. So now that the price of gasoline has gone down, it makes sense that bus fare would go down as well.”
“I think it was only fair for it to go up because they had to do what they had to do. But now that gas going down bus fare ain’t going anywhere. I really don’t know how they are going to deal with that situation, because just as the bus drivers needed assistance, which they got, we need assistance too.”
Meanwhile, owners of private vehicles expressed that they are somewhat relieved by the decreasing price for gasoline. Their however hope that the price would continue to decrease and effect further relief to their pockets.
“For the first time in many months I was able to fill my gas tank for less than $100 and I hope that the prices would continue to go down.”
“The decrease in the price of gasoline is very good and I am just wishing that it would continue to go down. It can go down until it reaches about $9.00. That is what I can handle.”
