DAMMAM/JEDDAH — Many taxi drivers and private vehicle operators increased fares soon after the hike in gasoline prices. Most of the taxis drivers were charging SR5 extra for each ride. "I will increase the fare for new customers because of the gas price hike. I will change an extra SR5 for each ride. As for my old customers, I will not charge an extra fare if they are not willing to pay the extra amount. I do not want to lose them," said Mohammed Kashif Ahmed, a Pakistani private vehicle driver. Ehsan Rubai, a Saudi housewife, said that women commuters have no option but to pay. Mariam, who commutes by using the service of a private vehicle driver, said that her driver decided to increase the fare by SR5 per trip. Dina Abdullah, a senior financial analyst, said, "As a client of transportation companies, I think an increase of less than 40 percent in the fare is fair enough." There was a bit of chaos last night in the cities of Dammam and Al-Khobar when gas stations stopped selling gasoline until midnight to readjust their machines to new prices. Long queues of automobiles were seen at the gas stations on Jubail-Dammam Highway as well as on Riyadh-Dammam expressway. The majority of residents agreed that life will be a bit tough with this price hike but admitted that "they have lived a subsidized life". "No one can deny that in international community we the residents of Saudi Arabia (nationals and expatriates alike) have been living a pampered life for decades and now it's about time to understand our responsibility and stand behind the government in its endeavor to rationalize and strengthen the country's economy," said Abdullah Ali Al-Ghamdi, a leading businessman from the region. "The increase in gasoline prices is not the issue at all. The prices are still heavily subsidized and the lowest in the world. But this more than 50 percent increase will impact the prices of other essential commodities like meat, vegetables, poultry, grains and of course transport rates both commercial and public," said Fouad Jambi, a business executive in a construction company in Dammam. Saleh Humaidan, a leading business management expert and former managing director of Al-Youm Group of Publications, called the increase realistic and hoped that citizens and residents will support the government in its endeavor to rationalize the economy. Yusuf Al-Amri, an employee at Saudi Aramco, admitted that he was surprised at the extent of the increase in prices of gasoline, water and electricity. Rauf Al-Badr, associated with the health sector, said that he has been anticipating a hike in oil prices for the last six months. "Actually rumor was rife that the price for Octane (91) will go up to SR1 per liter. So in a way it is a pleasant surprise to note that it is just 75 halala per liter. Let's admit that we are still cheapest." Mehmood Ali Khan, of Hyderabad, India, who has been living in the Kingdom for the past 31 years said that it is not the oil price hike that bothers him but its impact on other consumers items.
