High fuel prices leave motorists looking for alternatives

25 May 2008

Motorists have started abandoning their cars in favour of other modes of transport because of the price of fuel, according to the RAC.

Research carried out by the State’s peak motoring group suggests that 16 per cent of its members were already using alternative modes of transport because of excessive fuel prices and this figure would rise over the next couple of weeks as prices soar above $1.50 - a psychological threshold for many motorists the RAC believes.

The RAC’s Executive Manager for Advocacy David Moir said motorists were suffering and high fuel prices accompanied with other increased costs of living were driving people off the roads.

“We think as many as 30 per cent of our members will now be considering using other forms of transport at some time because of these excessive fuel prices,” he said.

“Our research shows that $1.50 is a tipping point for many motorists and they are not prepared to continually tolerate excessive petrol prices.

“Those people who are feeling the squeeze will continue to use their cars, but look at other viable transport options where they are available.”

Mr Moir said that the obvious alternative was public transport for people who commuted into the city for work, but he warned that many services were already at capacity at peak times.

“There are already signs that many metropolitan buses and trains are over crowded at peak times and the State Government needs to look at further expanding capacity to ease congestion on our roads and give motorists who are feeling the pain at the bowser a cost effective alternative to using the car,” he said.

A further 10 per cent of RAC members claimed they would consider using other forms of transport if the price hit $2.00 making a combined total of 42 per cent.

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