Drivers feel fuel hike pain

RISING petrol prices could soon push more Victorians on to public transport or to use their cars less frequently, according to a new survey into cost-of-living pressures.

The research, by comparison site Savvy, showed groceries and petrol were the two biggest concerns as inflation pressures bite.

Victorians were more likely than other states to use public transport to avoid pain at the bowser, with about 28 per cent saying they would consider doing so, compared with 26 per cent nationally.

More than a third of those surveyed said they spent between $31 and $60 a week on fuel and a fifth spent between $61 and $90.

Nearly half said they would consider changing their behaviour, such as driving their car less, if prices remained high.

Fuel prices in Victoria are soaring again after a cut to the fuel excise collected by the federal government had provided some relief.

Metro petrol stations were charging as much as 215.9c a litre on Friday, while the cheapest available was 182.9c, according to the RACV’s fuel tracker.

Around Geelong, RACV showed most outlets were charging around 185.3c a litre, but in Moolap it was up to 190.3c a litre and in Newcomb as much as 200.3c.

Savvy chief executive Bill Tsouvalas said price hikes would hit blue-collar workers hardest and younger trade apprentices would feel the pinch.

“Tradespeople and those who work outdoors are reliant on their ute or car to turn a profit or make their weekly wages,” he said.

“This will just add to the woes of the working class who are already feeling the brunt of rising grocery costs.

“The survey says that 30 per cent of respondents said they’ll just ‘absorb’ the increase. Tradespeople do not have that luxury.”