Price hikes to fuel social problems

By Nathan Johnston
ROCKETING fuel prices could start to contribute to social isolation problems in the southeastern suburbs, according to a public transport group representative.
As prices reached $1.26 per litre yesterday (Wednesday) Alex Makin from the outer eastern branch of the Public Transport Users Association said motorists were being forced to stay at home and conserve fuel rather than going out, particularly on weekends.
“It’s definitely being felt. I’ve received a number of emails from people who’ve said they have to add an extra $60 to $100 to their monthly expenses.
“This means there’s less money to pay off their houses, less money to spend on themselves and in the community.”
Mr Makin said people in the southeastern suburbs couldn’t rely on the State Government’s public transport services as an alternative.
“Train frequency on the Dandenong line is the worst in Melbourne. People are often waiting on the platform for more than an hour for weekend services.
“Instead of preparing reports about public transport, the State Government needs to act now, not in five years, and not in 10 years.”
He also said people were questioning whether they coulf afford to keep their vehicles.
Sales manager at Berwick Mazda, Dean Orley, said motorists in the southeastern suburbs were trading in their bigger cars to buy new fuelefficient models.
“Gauging by the last couple of months, people driving a large six cylinder car or a four wheel drive are looking for a change because of the rise in fuel prices and the uncertainty in the future.
“It has brought purchases forward. People are trading in the large cars much earlier than they had planned.
“For the Mazda product, it’s fantastic. We don’t have the larger engines, so people are increasingly looking to us,” he said.