Sunbury motorists continue to be victims of a ‘tax’ that petrol companies have yet to explain, according to a driver who is undertaking a detailed analysis of fuel prices.
As reported by Star Weekly last December, motorist Steve Coughlan started comparing prices in Sunbury, Craigieburn and Bulla after a wave of social media complaints about discrepancies between unleaded prices in the three towns.
Last week, the going rate in Sunbury remained at least five to six cents per litre dearer than the other two towns, even as petrol prices dropped to less than a dollar in many areas.
‘‘I really can’t figure it out, and no one is able to tell me why,’’ Mr Coughlan said. ‘‘Christmas was a bit of an anomaly, but in the new year it’s just settled right back into rhythm with Sunbury motorists having to pay more.
‘‘Sometimes it can be up to 10 cents. Even six to seven cents a litre might not sound like a lot, but it sure adds up over a week.’’
Mr Coughlan called on petrol companies to explain the variation.
‘‘As I’ve said before, it’s just as easy to transport fuel to Sunbury as it is to Craigieburn.
‘‘It still seems that, for whatever reason, there is a Sunbury tax.’’
Mr Coughlan encouraged motorists in other areas to also follow pricing trends.
‘‘Then we can go to the companies, to the government, with hard facts,’’ he said.
‘‘That way they can’t say, ‘Oh, you just perceive it to be that way’.’’
Mr Coughlan, who is preparing to take his concerns to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, said responses from the social media accounts of BP and Coles Express had failed to shed any light.
‘‘They continue to say ‘we have a number of factors which determine our pricing’, but they won’t explain why Sunbury has to pay more,’’ he said.
The Australian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association and BP did not respond. Coles Express does not comment on pricing.
