New data has revealed Perth locals are paying $20,000 a year just to get around our city – taking up more than 13 per cent of the average household’s income.
The Australian Automotive Association’s latest Transport Affordability Index shows overall costs continued to rise in the December quarter.
RAC General Manager External Relations Will Golsby said more needs to be done to ease the cost-of-living burden for WA families.
“Motor vehicle registration fees have increased by 80 per cent in the past decade, around four times the rate of inflation,” Mr Golsby said.
“Last year alone, vehicle registration fees increased by four per cent, and that’s why we’re calling on the WA Government to freeze them for three years in the upcoming Budget, a measure that would make a huge difference to many WA households.”
WA locals pay nearly $35 each week for CTP, registration, and licencing fees – the second-most expensive in the nation behind the ACT.
In Bunbury, transport accounts for 14 per cent of household incomes, with locals paying more than $19,000 each year to get around.
Of the regional locations surveyed, Bunbury ranked the most expensive for fuel expenditure, at $121.33 a week, while in Perth it was $93.65.
“Western Australians deserve an explanation as to why the petrol price cycle keeps chopping and changing – last year it was fortnightly, now it’s back to weekly,” Mr Golsby said.
“With costs continuing to rise across the board for WA families, now is the time for stability for motorists, so they know what to expect at the bowser.”
“FuelWatch needs to dig deeper into the state of the cycle, and why West Australians are paying so much.”
The full AAA Transport Affordability Index can be found here.
ENDS
Media contact: Laura Gardiner, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
