THE petrol companies have done it. So have the airlines. And yesterday, the taxi companies announced they would do it.
In recent months, petrol companies and transport operators have either cut prices or scrapped fuel surcharges, following falls in oil prices.
But what about fuel surcharges for ferries?
Earlier this year, ferry operators here introduced fuel surcharges to fight rising fuel costs.
For example, Penguin Ferry Services, one of the biggest operators here, started charging a $5 fuel levy for a one-way ticket from the Singapore Cruise Centre to places like Batam, Tanjung Balai, Tanjung Pinang and Lobam in January.
Then in June, the operator increased the surcharge to $8 for a one-way ticket, and introduced a $15 surcharge for a two-way ticket.
A two-way ticket costs between $44 and $55, before surcharge.
Another major operator, Batam Fast Ferry, also introduced similar surcharges.
But now that oil prices are falling, should ferry operators also scrap the fuel surcharge?
They should, say regular ferry commuters.
Mr Abdul Raheem Mohd Shah, an auxiliary police officer in his 40s, and his family, have been taking the Batam Fast ferry to and from the Singapore Cruise Centre to Sekupang in Indonesia once every three months to visit his in-laws.
They have been doing so since 1995.
Each time, he pays $79.50 for himself, his wife and his 8-year-old daughter for a round trip.
He told The New Paper: 'Even taxis are reconsidering the fuel surcharge but the ferries are quietly sitting on it.'
No formal notice
Mr Abdul said that ferry operators did not formally announce the fuel surcharges, though the price increases are on the ferry operators' websites.
He feels it is time the public knows about the surcharges.
Another unhappy commuter, who did not want to be named, thinks ferry operators should justify the extra charges.
Responding to The New Paper's queries, a spokesman for Penguin Ferry Services said it is reviewing the surcharge for the Batam route.
He added: 'Even though global fuel costs have dropped tremendously, other operational costs such as seaport tax and terminal charges on facilities imposed on ferry operators have not.'
At the same time, the operator is also seeing fewer passengers travelling between Batam and Singapore, the spokesman said.
PETROL PRICES
OIL companies have cut pump prices 10 times since July. Now 92-, 95- and 98-octane petrol prices are down to $1.763, $1.796 and $1.87 a litre respectively before discount.
Ultra-premium fuels Shell V-Power and Caltex Platinum are $1.999 and $1.996 respectively, while diesel is now $1.553.
AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGE
SIA cut surcharges in September. For short- and medium-haul flights, round-trip ticket prices were cut by up to US$20 ($29). Fuel surcharges and other taxes can account for more than 75 per cent of the total fare, especially for short flights on low-cost carriers. For longer flights, the extras make up about 20 to 30 per cent of the total fare.
TAXI FUEL LEVY
The 30-cent surcharge was introduced in July. The New Paper recently ran a report asking why the levy was not scrapped despite falling diesel prices. On Tuesday, Trans-Cab said it will drop the surcharge on 11Nov. ComfortDelgro and other taxi operators followed suit. They will abolish the surcharge on 12 Nov.
Photo - RELOOK: Penguin Ferry Services is reviewing the surcharge for Batam route
This article was first published in The New Paper on Oct 31, 2008.
