Filling stations begin to receive fuel subsidies vouchers from public transport
DILI, 23 july 2022 (TATOLI) — The Filling stations in the capital Dili began to receive fuel subsidies vouchers from the public transport – taxis and mincroclete.
On april 19, 2022, the Decree-Law 18/2022 was promulgated by the former President of the Republic, Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo to establish these subsidies to mitigate the impact of the increase in fuel prices, caused by the war in Ukraine.
This measure will benefit the sectors of activities most affected by the increase in fuel prices, such as public road transport operators and also national air and maritime transport operators,” and the purchasers of fuel intended for agricultural and fishing activities.
“On monday (18/07), we begin to receive the fuel subsidies vouchers from the public transport, including taxi and microlete. The distribution of the fuel depends on the vouchers. Some transport wants to get US$10, while others prefer US$20 or US$50,” the staff of Mega Petroleum Filling Station, Miguel Soares told TATOLI, in Fatuhada, Dili, on friday.
He said his station would attend the transport with the vouchers from 6 am to 9 am: “After that, the station will be opened for all kinds of transport.”
“For those public transport that had filled up the fuel at this station should not go to other stations. So far, we have received more than 500 vouchers and we will continue to attend public transport with subsidies vouchers up until the end of this month,” he said.
Filling a liter of gasoline at Mega Petroleum costs US$1.53, meanwhile, diesel costs a little bit more at US$1.68 per liter.
In addition, the Mekar Fuel station has also distributed fuel for those public transports that were eligible for the fuel subsidies.
“Of the US$150 fuel subsidy, we only give them US$10 every time they came here. So, they need to come and fill the reaming on the next day,” staff of Mekar fuel Filling Station, Abilio Pereira told TATOLI.
He said a liter of gasoline at Mekar Fuel Filling Station costs US$1.49, and diesel costs US$1.65.
More than 1.000 public transport with subsidies vouchers had filled up the fuel at the Mekar Fuel Station.
The public transport microlete number 10 driver, Cancio da Silva expressed his contentment after receiving the subsidies.
“It’s a feeling of relief after receiving the subsidies. We receive a total of US$150. The problem is that the Mekar Station only allows us to fill up US$10 a day. So, we need to spend our own money to fill up the tank as the US$10 is not enough,” he said.
The current public transport fare for students and children is US$0.15, and the fare for adults is US$0.25.
UNTL student, Igildo Ximenes Guterres said after the distribution of the subsidies, they only pay US$0.15 for a 1-way trip.
Every eligible public transport would receive US$450 vouchers for three months. So, every month, each transport receives US$150 vouchers.
Journalist: Arminda Fonseca
Editor: Julia Chatarina/Nelia B
Translation: Filomeno Martins
