RAC urges motorists to beat the petrol price rip-off

26 May 2009

Perth motorists are facing higher petrol costs as the Foundation Day long weekend looms with price hikes of as much as 18 cents a litre.

Some Caltex stations will increase their prices by 18 cents a litre tomorrow while BP stations will increase their prices by more than 14 cents a litre.

The RAC is warning motorists planning to head away on the long weekend to think about filling up their cars today or tomorrow before petrol prices rise across the city.

RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown has condemned the price hike as excessive and unjustifiable.

“In recent weeks we’ve seen BP and Caltex try to reinstate a price cycle in Perth,” Mr Brown said.

“That’s a cynical move on their part but in recent weeks they’ve triggered it with price jumps of between 12 and 15 cents a litre, usually on a Wednesday.

“But with another long weekend looming we see the price deliberately forced up by 18 cents a litre.

“It’s a blunt and brutal tactic designed to drag up prices across the rest of the Perth market by the end of the week. If motorists leave their petrol purchase until Friday, they’ll be paying more no matter where they buy.

“The best move would be to get out today or tomorrow to one of the 192 stations selling petrol below the average cost of 118.3 cents a litre and fill up.

“Why pay $1.33 a litre at Caltex or $1.29 a litre at BP when you can get petrol as cheap as $1.13 a litre elsewhere?”

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