Taxi drivers working 12-hour days amid fuel price rise

A regional taxi driver in Victoria is working 12-hour days to make ends meet as the end of the fuel excise discount leads to rising petrol prices, according to Jassi Bhangu. The federal government's fuel excise discount provided temporary relief, but Bhangu said he is now stressed about making ends meet as petrol prices surge. RACQ predicts unleaded and diesel prices to increase to $2.20 and $2.60 per litre, respectively.

Bhangu, from Shepparton, says any increase in petrol prices means more hours on the road. He often receives calls from his kids asking when he'll be home, to which he replies that he hasn't made enough money yet and will be back in a few more hours. The cost of petrol and diesel at fuel stations is already above $2, and Bhangu believes making a living as a taxi driver is becoming increasingly difficult.

Many drivers are considering a second job to survive. Most drivers used to work eight to nine hours a day, but now they try to do 11 to 12 hours. Bhangu works the maximum allowed hours of 12. Australian petrol station chain APCO is not worried about a petrol supply shortage, despite the conflict in the Middle East. APCO director Peter Anderson has several stores in regional Victoria and is confident with his suppliers, Mobil and Viva.

APCO has not experienced any issues with oil supply, as it now comes from a different route after being rerouted from Singapore.