Barbadians are paying more for gas and it has some of them looking for ways to adjust their travel around the country.
Jason Millar said it was time to look at alternative modes of transport.
“Gas prices going up are a reflection of what is going on in Israel and Iran, and shows the interdependency of countries as well as the foolishness and greed of certain individuals.
“The best we can do is embrace alternate modes of transport such as bicycles. I used to ride back when you had to really work the pedals. Now with e-bikes, it’s easier than ever, so I will go back to that,” he told the DAILY NATION at Sky Mall in Haggatt Hall, St Michael.
Also considering an e-bike was Mario Flatts, who found the situation with gas “ridiculous”.
“The price going up and the gas still thin. In Trinidad, they get better mileage – why is that?” he asked.
$4.01 per litre
Gasoline is now retailing at $4.01 per litre and diesel at $3.21 per litre, representing increases of 28 cents and six cents, respectively. Meanwhile, the price of kerosene moved to $2.56 per litre, rising by $1.03.
Shanika Tull, who was also at Sky Mall, said she had no choice but to bear with it, as driving her car was the best option.
“The bus [service] by me is not dependable, so driving is a necessity for me. I guess I will have to tighten my belt in other ways,” she said.
Adrian Jones said he was yet to visit the gas station so he was not sure how much more he would be paying. He lamented that gas prices were not the only things on the rise.
“Everything in Barbados going up. We have to do what we have to do; I can’t drive less. I can only grin and bear it and hope Government can do something,” he said.
On Sunday, Minister of Energy, Business Development and Commerce Kerrie Symmonds said the reality was that Barbados could not avoid the fallout from international economic shocks.
“It is almost impossible for us to believe that we can continue to live in splendid isolation and not be impacted in terms of cost of living, and in terms of access to certain things that we take for granted and might even be essential as long as this continues,” he said.
One woman said public service vehicles (PSVs) were out of the question as she would rather catch a Transport Board bus if it came to that.
With diesel prices also on the rise, some PSVs drivers in Speightstown, St Peter, said it was also a rough road for them.
“The bus fare is set, and here, you have to hustle or you will lose your spot. And now they trying to get the buses to move every 15 minutes. So you can’t even wait until you have a full load to at least maximise the cost of the diesel. It’s a really difficult position, but we have to roll with the punches,” minibus driver Michael Parris said.
Full load
A colleague said gas hikes would work against passengers as he was adamant that he would not be departing until he had a full load.
Another driver, who gave his name only as “Charlie”, said he was a bit more fortunate as he owned his van and did not have to earn money for an owner. However, he was waiting to see how badly the fuel hike would affect him.
“I’m not frightened because I grow my own food; that is the way forward. If people do the right thing, we will wriggle out of this,” he said.
Government’s current fuel hedge arrangement covers a three-month window, with about $8 million committed towards cushioning the impact of volatile oil prices. Symmonds said the authorities would determine whether further intervention would be necessary, depending on developments internationally. (CA)
