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24% fuel price hike is fine if salaries rise, say residents

Dubai - A motorist who travels 55km per day will have to approximately shell out Dh4 extra.

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Every month, motorists will now spend anything between Dh450 to Dh1,100 on fuel and Salik depending on the distance travelled.

Rise in fuel costs leads to rise in anger UAE residents took to social media to vent their rising frustration on Tuesday as news broke of a 22 per cent hike in petrol prices. At 2pm, the Ministry of Energy released the revised figures - which will come into effect August 1 - but Khaleej Times reader, Mansoor Khan, scrutinised the hikes. "In the UAE, petrol prices are the highest in the Gulf region. Our salary increases by 3 to 5 per cent, rent increases by 30 per cent, Fewa charges 23 fils for local and 45 fils for expats, and now petrol has increased by 24 per cent," he said on KT's Facebook page. On Twitter, @MrTomPaye said: "It's ridiculous that a hike of that magnitude was described as 'not having much of an effect on people's living costs'." But he later followed up his tweet urging irked motorists to "get some perspective on #UAEPetrolPrice" as it's still "way cheaper" than anywhere in Europe. An angry Zafar Saand also took to Facebook and questioned the sharp increase: "Globally oil prices have crashed. Why is it UAE govt has to increase it?!" Previously, a vehicle which cost Dh60 to fill up will now cost about Dh90. For those with no dependents, the hike may not make a huge difference to monthly outgoings. But the additional cost could substantially affect a breadwinners bank balance, @MrTomPaye said. "I'm fortunate enough that I'm quite comfortable and I have no dependents, but I imagine it will sting for a lot of families." kelly@khaleejtimes.com

The price of Octane 95 (Special), which is commonly used by motorists in Dubai, has gone up to Dh2.14 per litre from Dh1.72 per litre. The Ministry of Energy announced the new prices on Tuesday and they will come into effect as of August 1.
Khaleej Times selected eight commonly travelled routes and calculated the daily expenditure on these routes (both fuel and Salik). Accordingly a motorist who travels 55km per day will have to approximately shell out Dh4 extra.
Residents expressed anguish at the increase in price. "Our salary increases by 3 to 5 per cent, rent increases by 30 per cent, Fewa charges 23 fils for local and 45 fils for expats, and now petrol has increased by 24 per cent," said a reader on KT's Facebook page.
As per information on the Road and Transport Authority (RTA's) Sharekni app and responses on Twitter, some of the most commonly travelled routes are Al Nahda Sharjah to Al Qouz Dubai; Al Qusais to Shaikh Zayed Road; and Al Nahda Sharjah to Jebel Ali Village.
With the exception of areas like International City, Silicon Oasis and Arabian Ranches, most motorists have to pass through a Salik toll gate to reach their destination.
People traveling from Ajman to Dubai spend the most on fuel and Salik, whereas people commuting from Qusais to Shaikh Zayed Road spend the least on fuel and toll.
Santosh Kurian, a resident of Al Nahda, Sharjah, said: "I spend Dh500 on Salik every month. However, I was expecting a steep hike in the prices of petrol. This is however still manageable and suits my budget. I will resort to avoiding Salik routes and travel on Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road, instead."
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com