Fuel hike to alter ‘car habits’ in Bahrain

One of the domino effects of the recent hike in the petrol prices would be a change in the car driving habits of Bahrainis. It would force them to decrease the number of cars, and more big cars could be seen on “car on sale” advertisements in the days to come.  

Commenting on the price hike, a Bahraini citizen said that at first the petrol tank used to be full with BD7.5 but now it was costing him BD12.5. 

He used to come to Manama daily from Isa Town and it would be difficult for him to manage the big car now. “I want to sell my big car, things are going to be unaffordable now.” 

The Energy Ministry on Monday had announced 60 per cent increase in the petrol prices. The new prices are a part of the austerity plan to meet the new situation Bahrain is facing after the slump in oil prices. 

According to the new prices, premium Mumtaz (95 octane) is 160 fils per litre while Jayyid (91 octane) is 125 fils effective from yesterday.

Mustafa, a Bahraini doctor was not much worried about the new situation. “We must decrease the use or misuse of our cars. If you are my neighbour and your office is in the same locality we both can come in one car,” he opined.

Dr. Mustafa said that those who were having two cars must learn to use one car as the people in Europe and America do. “It is also good for the traffic flow. For instance, we are two doctors, who are neighbours, and working together in the same hospital or there are two teachers working in the same school, they can use one car instead of two,” he suggested.

Hasan, a Bahraini, said that the salaries were already down and everything was getting expensive now – petrol, electricity etc. 

He said that they were feeling very bad these days. “The prices should be the same as before or less than before. I am using BD50 for petrol in the car every month but it maybe BD75 or BD80 this month,” he laments. “My salary is BD250, I don’t know how I will be able to manage this.”

According to Soha, another Bahraini, things would be difficult after the hike in petrol prices. 

Refuting the concept that Bahrainis have very good salaries, she said that they should better stay at home as petrol was too expensive to afford. 

Fuelling opinions

Hameed, an Indian expat commented: “It will be good for Bahrain but not for us.” Joz, another expatriate from India said that it would be very difficult for the medium size income people to afford the personal cars now.

He said that the middle class would be affected much as the upper class had no monetary issues and the lower class didn’t have any vehicles. 

Um Hussein, a Bahraini lady said that the prices were not good and affordable and the government should withdraw the decision.

Nabeel, a Bahraini working in a petrol station said that all the people were asking for Jayyid instead of Mumtaz yesterday. 

He said that many owners of the 6 and 8 cylinder cars coming to fill the petrol were saying that they would have to sell their cars. “Four cylinders cars will be ok now,” he says.

In the view of Ibraheem, a Bahraini and manager of the petrol station, it was too early to say something on the impact of hike in petrol prices. 

He remarked that the things would be clear after a month or two to realise the exact impact of the increase in petrol prices.

Photo Caption: A Bahraini citizen speaks about the hike in petrol prices in a petrol station yesterday