Expect To Pay More For Your Plane, Train And Automobile
The Age
Monday June 26, 2000
CANBERRA
Most road users will notice immediate price increases from midnight on Friday.
Starting with the means of transport we use and love most - our cars - the cost of petrol in metropolitan areas will rise by between 1.5 and 2 cents a litre.
In country areas the cost will be less, with regional petrol stations eligible for a one-cent-a-litre price rebate from July 1.
The cost of getting your car serviced will rise, with the flat service fee expected to rise by the full 10 per cent, but the costs of spare parts, new tyres and engine oil are expected to fall.
Spare parts are now subject to a 22 per cent wholesale sales tax, and consumers can expect savings of between 12 and 15 per cent on the retail price after the GST is introduced. A new tyre worth $85 will fall in price by between $3 and $4, and the cost of a litre of oil will drop by about 15 cents.
Car insurance will rise by between 3 and 5per cent, so a policy costing $540 will go up by between $16 and $27.
New cars should be cheaper - one costing $30,210 is predicted to fall in price by about 6 per cent to 8 per cent, or between $1800 and $2500. But to sustain pre-GST demand, most car dealers have already dropped new car prices, so there may not be a noticeable price fall on July 1.
The cost of using City Link will rise by 10 per cent. The cost of a one-way trip across the entire link will rise 39 cents from $3.86 to $4.25 for ordinary cars. The cost of a standard day pass will rise by 35 cents to $3.85. A late day pass will rise 35 cents to $4.95.
The cost of catching a taxi in the city and country will rise by 8per cent. This includes a 10 per cent rise in the phone booking charge and the late-night surcharge, and the overall 2per cent tax savings to the industry in vehicle parts, tyres, and vehicle leasing costs.
Under the GST an average 10-kilometre taxi ride through the city will increase from $15.96 to about $17.20, while an average four-kilometre trip in country areas will increase from $7.90 to about $8.50.
Train, tram and bus fares will rise by about 5 per cent, while regional rail, coach and bus fares will rise by about 2 per cent.
After June 30, a full-fare weekly train ticket covering three zones will increase from $39.50 to $41.20, with the concession increasing from $18.30 to $19.20. A monthly train ticket covering three zones will rise from $134.50 to $141.20; the concession will rise from $63.50 to $66.65. A yearly ticket for three zones will increase from $1525 to $1601.20. A standard two-hour ticket for three zones will rise from $5.30 to $5.50.
For country travellers, an off-peak saver from Ballarat to Melbourne will increase from $19.40 to $19.70, and a single economy fare from Geelong will rise 10 cents from $8.60 to $8.70. A first-class seat from Traralgon will rise from $41.20 to $42.
Victorian public transport users will also be hit by a 7.5 per cent price rise on January 1 when the Victorian Government increases prices in line with inflation.
Most domestic air fares will rise by about 7 per cent, including a 10per cent rise in the airport tax, which will rise from $3.40 to $3.74.
A full-economy return fare from Melbourne to Sydney flying Qantas will rise from $598.00 to $640.20, while the five-day advance purchase fare will go from $538 to $576.40.
The implications
Unleaded fuel: Will rise by 1.5 to 2 cents a litre.
Spare Parts: Retail price to fall by 12 to 15 per cent.
New Tyres: An $85 tyre to fall by between $3 and $4.
New Car: To fall between 6 per cent and 8 per cent. A car costing $30,210 will drop by between $1800 and $2500.
City Link: Full trip will rise 10 per cent to $4.25. A day pass will rise 10 per cent to $3.85.
Taxi rides: Will rise 8 per cent. A10km ride in the city will go from $15.90 to $17.20. A 4km ride in the country will go from $7.90 to $8.50.
Public transport: For tickets covering all three zones-Two hour ticket: Will rise from $5.30 to $5.50. Weekly: Will rise from $39.50 to $41.20.
Air fares: Will rise by about 7 per cent. Full economy Melbourne to Sydney will rise from $598 to $640.20.
Freight: Interstate road transport will fall by 16 per cent. Interstate rail freight will fall by 8 per cent.
© 2000 The Age
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