Menu
21/10/2008
Travel Costs Are Just 'Not Fare'
It has been revealed that the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland has written to Translink to urge a review of its charges.
The consumer watchdog wants to bring down ticket prices and has called for a reduction in bus and train fares, after dramatic falls in the costs of fuel.
The comments came as the wholesale cost of oil slumped to a 15-month low of $66.76 a barrel - its lowest level since May 2007.
Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council NI, said that people should demand a cut in fares.
"Consumers are being hit hard by the rising cost of living and need all the help they can get to cope," she said.
"A family of four is having to find an extra £44 per week just to cover the cost of must-haves like food, heat, shelter and transport.
"Translink fares have increased by nearly 10% since March, largely due to the wholesale cost of oil," she continued.
"Consumers have seen the cost of petrol and diesel fall and even airlines are cutting their fuel surcharges.
"It is reasonable for passengers to expect that bus and rail fares can fall too. The question that consumers are asking us is how much can fares come down and when?"
"Translink has a responsibility to provide value for money," she insisted noting that the Consumer Council believes that all service providers, including transport and energy companies have a duty to ensure that they are passing on lower prices to their customers as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, adding to the pressure, NI motorists are this week reaping the benefits of a full-on fuel price war after Northern Ireland's largest supermarkets slashed their tariffs dramatically.
Retail giant Tesco yesterday lowered prices - for the third time in just over a week - by up to 2p a litre, bringing the price of unleaded down to 97.9p a litre and cutting diesel to 109.9p at four local forecourts.
From today, Asda and Sainsbury's will be charging these tariffs at all 14 of their filling stations in Northern Ireland, which means that most drivers should benefit from the lowest prices at the pumps in over a year.
The move - which for the first time sees Sainsbury's charging a uniform price for fuel across the Province - comes just days after Northern Ireland's Finance Minister raised the issue of regional fuel price discrepancies in the House of Commons.
(BMcC)
The consumer watchdog wants to bring down ticket prices and has called for a reduction in bus and train fares, after dramatic falls in the costs of fuel.
The comments came as the wholesale cost of oil slumped to a 15-month low of $66.76 a barrel - its lowest level since May 2007.
Eleanor Gill, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council NI, said that people should demand a cut in fares.
"Consumers are being hit hard by the rising cost of living and need all the help they can get to cope," she said.
"A family of four is having to find an extra £44 per week just to cover the cost of must-haves like food, heat, shelter and transport.
"Translink fares have increased by nearly 10% since March, largely due to the wholesale cost of oil," she continued.
"Consumers have seen the cost of petrol and diesel fall and even airlines are cutting their fuel surcharges.
"It is reasonable for passengers to expect that bus and rail fares can fall too. The question that consumers are asking us is how much can fares come down and when?"
"Translink has a responsibility to provide value for money," she insisted noting that the Consumer Council believes that all service providers, including transport and energy companies have a duty to ensure that they are passing on lower prices to their customers as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, adding to the pressure, NI motorists are this week reaping the benefits of a full-on fuel price war after Northern Ireland's largest supermarkets slashed their tariffs dramatically.
Retail giant Tesco yesterday lowered prices - for the third time in just over a week - by up to 2p a litre, bringing the price of unleaded down to 97.9p a litre and cutting diesel to 109.9p at four local forecourts.
From today, Asda and Sainsbury's will be charging these tariffs at all 14 of their filling stations in Northern Ireland, which means that most drivers should benefit from the lowest prices at the pumps in over a year.
The move - which for the first time sees Sainsbury's charging a uniform price for fuel across the Province - comes just days after Northern Ireland's Finance Minister raised the issue of regional fuel price discrepancies in the House of Commons.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 February 2006
Fuel costs hit Ryanair profit margin
Budget airline Ryanair has reported a 26% growth in passenger numbers, but has seen profits hit by high fuel costs. In the third financial quarter, the airline said that it had increased third quarter profits to 36.8 million euro. Traffic grew by 26% to 8.
Fuel costs hit Ryanair profit margin
Budget airline Ryanair has reported a 26% growth in passenger numbers, but has seen profits hit by high fuel costs. In the third financial quarter, the airline said that it had increased third quarter profits to 36.8 million euro. Traffic grew by 26% to 8.
14 November 2024
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
16 November 2011
MPs Plead For No Increase At Petrol Pumps
The Westminster Government should scrap a planned increase in fuel duty, a Conservative MP has said - with support from local politicians as well.
MPs Plead For No Increase At Petrol Pumps
The Westminster Government should scrap a planned increase in fuel duty, a Conservative MP has said - with support from local politicians as well.
13 June 2022
Govt Must Take 'Serious Action' To Reduce Fuel Prices
With 50% of the cost of a litre of petrol or diesel going to the Treasury, the Government must take serious action to reduce fuel prices across the United Kingdom, DUP Treasury Spokesman Sammy Wilson has said. Mr Wilson said: "Fuel duty and VAT make up 50% of the cost of our fuel with green taxes attributing another 7%.
Govt Must Take 'Serious Action' To Reduce Fuel Prices
With 50% of the cost of a litre of petrol or diesel going to the Treasury, the Government must take serious action to reduce fuel prices across the United Kingdom, DUP Treasury Spokesman Sammy Wilson has said. Mr Wilson said: "Fuel duty and VAT make up 50% of the cost of our fuel with green taxes attributing another 7%.
16 August 2018
Electricity Prices To Rise On 01 October
Power NI is to increase its electricity prices by 13.8 %. This is the firms biggest price rise in 5 years. The price increase will come into effect on 01 October 2018. Stephen McCully, Managing Director of Power NI, said: "Putting our prices up is the last thing we want to do, but unfortunately we are at the mercy of fluctuating world fuel prices.
Electricity Prices To Rise On 01 October
Power NI is to increase its electricity prices by 13.8 %. This is the firms biggest price rise in 5 years. The price increase will come into effect on 01 October 2018. Stephen McCully, Managing Director of Power NI, said: "Putting our prices up is the last thing we want to do, but unfortunately we are at the mercy of fluctuating world fuel prices.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
