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Tahiti Hit By 19 Percent Hike In Fuel Prices

Wednesday: July 02, 2008

(Tahitipresse)

The cost of living in Tahiti got more expensive on Tuesday when the government's 19 percent hike in the cost of unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel took effect at service stations along with a 2 percent to 13 percent hike in the cost of household electricity.

The Tong Sang government increased the retail price of unleaded gasoline 28 French Pacific francs (F CFP) from 148 F CFP a liter to 176 F CFP (US$2 to $2.38). It also increased the retail price of diesel fuel at the pump 28 F CFP from 124 F CFP a liter to 153 F CFP (US$1.68 to $2.07).

Preparing for Tuesday's more expensive fuel, motorists inundated the some 60 service stations on the islands of Tahiti and Moorea throughout the day Monday, the last day of the old prices.

One Tahiti west coast station among the biggest on the island reported selling between 35,000 and 40,000 liters (9,210-10,526 gallons). That compares with a normal day of 15,000 to 20,000 liters (3,947-5,263 gallons) sold.

The public also stocked up Monday on 13-kilo containers of butane gas, which increased in price on Tuesday from 2,288 F CFP ($31) to 2,548 F CFP ($34), a hike of 260 F CFP ($3.50), or 11 percent.

Depending on household consumption, the cost of electricity increased 2 percent for households consuming 100-kilowatt hours (kWh) per month or less. That will amount to a monthly bill of 2,402 F CFP ($32) or a 56 F CFP (76 US cent) hike.

Homes using 190 kWh of electricity per month will pay 5,849 F CFP ($79) an increase of 282 F CFP ($3.81), or 5 percent more, per month.

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