Taxi Drivers Threaten Strike Over Fuel Prices 0 9

Associations are demanding that the government and the Competition Council immediately develop an action plan to stop fuel speculation by its sellers, as well as to introduce support for passenger carriers, specifically by reducing the excise tax.

In turn, from the ride-sharing platform Bolt, associations are demanding an immediate end to market dumping and the introduction of a "fuel crisis surcharge" that would go entirely to the driver to reflect actual costs.

If their demands are not met, members of the associations and taxi drivers plan to announce a strike.

In a statement to the media, the associations noted that "they are no longer willing to subsidize the excessive profits of gas stations and the insatiability of the Bolt platform from their own pockets."

At the same time, the statement mentions that fuel prices are rising rapidly, although there is no fuel shortage, while Bolt continues to further lower ride fares.

Earlier, the Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) stated that it would intensively monitor the practices of fuel retailers and urges consumers to report suspicious price increases.

It was previously reported that in the largest gas station networks in Latvia, the average price of diesel fuel has increased by about 20% since the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, while the price of 95 octane gasoline has risen by 5–7%.

Economists warn that consumers and businesses around the world may face rising fuel prices over the next few weeks or even months, even if the war in the Middle East ends quickly, as oil suppliers will find it difficult to fully restore operations quickly due to damaged plants and logistics networks, as well as increased transportation risks.