CAIRO: Motorists throughout Cairo work up to a somewhat shocking reality this past Friday; gasoline prices had just been increased a substantial amount. The 90 octane benzene increased by 30 percent and now stands at LE 1.30, while the natural gas increased by 25 percent to reach LE .75 from a previous LE 60. According to Al Ahram, the raise was due to a large raise in international oil prices. How was the price raise received by the public? The Daily Star Egypt took to the streets to gauge the public's opinion. We all expected the price of fuel to increase, but we didn't expect it to be raised by this much. Thirty percent is too much. I think most of the population will be affected by this raise. The government was smart in choosing the time by starting this increase on Friday, during the weekend. Most of the people were at home or on vacation. People realized this change two days after it started. So it was over.Ibrahim, barber, drives an old Seat The problem is not in the fuel at all; it is in the rest of the prices. Transportation prices will go up. Everything will go up, even vegetables, as the cost of transporting the goods will increase. Salma, student, drives a Hyundai Verna For the petrol it s ok. We know that its price was stable for a long time, but what about solar? Its price was raised last year and now there is another raise. I remember that the eight hours shift used to cost me LE 16, and now it costs me over LE 35. Abdoul, microbus driver I can t understand how they raised the price of petrol without raising the fares? The customer has to pay more and it will be the customer s problem.Mohammed, taxi driver. They can raise the fuel prices, but prior to that they should have decreased the taxes and duties on the cars. I think car prices will be decreased. I preferred the 92 octane petrol and it didn t change, so it is not affecting me now. But I am sure they will raise the 92 octane very soon. I think we will see fewer cars on the streets.Sameh, engineer, drives an Audi. The raise was not at all reasonable; it was too much and came suddenly. We were all busy watching the war in Lebanon. I think all Arabic governments don t care for people at all. Nora, medical Rep. drives a Daewoo Lanos I don t have my own car. I usually drive my brother s car. My salary is LE 400 and I can hardly live with it. I can t endure any raise in anything. Any raise in the basic needs because of the petrol raise will affect my life so negatively. I am not a greedy person but I just want the government to ensure that food and other prices will not be raised because of this raise.Wael, office boy The views expressed in Word on the Street do not necessarily reflect the views of The Daily Star Egypt.
