The public transport sector is also affected by high fuel prices. The escalation of diesel prices, fueled by the recent continuation of the conflict in the Middle East, is putting at risk the continuity of public and commercial transport services throughout Italy. The three main trade associations (Anav, Asstra and Agens) are raising the alarm and are asking the Government for urgent and targeted measures to avoid the blockage of a strategic sector for the mobility of millions of citizens.
The price increases
Since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East, the price of diesel has recorded an increase of +21%. This increase translates into higher costs for businesses of over 40 million euros per month, for a total of almost 500 million euros on an annual basis. A particularly burdensome figure for a sector in which fuel represents the second cost item after personnel, with an impact of approximately 20% on company budgets.
The associations express strong disappointment at the absence, even in the second law decree on fuels just launched by the Executive, of measures dedicated to passenger transport. In a joint note they explain:
the temporary cut in excise duties just extended until May 1st has no impact on companies in the sector that use commercial diesel fuel subject to reduced excise duty. Adequate and ad hoc corrective measures are urgently needed for companies in the sector in order to guarantee the continuity of services for citizens and safeguard the economic balance of company budgets.
The request
The three associations put forward a clear proposal:
We ask that the measures for recovering the excess amounts incurred for the purchase of fuel already adopted for the goods road transport sector be immediately extended to all local public transport companies subject to public service obligations and scheduled and rental commercial transport.
For associations, what is at stake is not just company budgets. Public transport serves almost 7 billion passengers every year and represents a fundamental tool for ensuring accessible mobility, especially at a time when families are already under pressure due to high fuel costs.
The price of petrol and diesel remains high
The data released by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy makes the crisis even more concrete. According to the Observatory on fuel prices, the current price lists in self-service mode are:
- petrol on the road network: €1.777/l
- diesel on the road network: €2.130/l
- petrol on the motorway network: €1.811/l
- diesel on the motorway network: €2.145/l
The difference between the two fuels is linked to the tax reorganization ordered by the Government at the beginning of the year, which had a more marked impact on diesel. Around 60 million vehicles will be on the road during Easter week. Considering an average of two full tanks per car, Codacons estimates an overall hit of around 1.28 billion euros compared to the same period last year.
