Two Australian leaders have confirmed they will make public transport free in major cities as a “Mad Max”-like fuel crisis continues amid the war in Iran.
Passengers across the country will be able to avail free travel in trains, buses and trams from Tuesday.
Transport in Victoria – including the capital Melbourne – will be free for at least a month to ease pressure on petrol pumps.
Tasmanian travelers will also benefit from free transport on buses and ferries between March 30 and July 1.
The unprecedented move will cost the state government an estimated $70 million (£36 million).
The temporary cost-of-living measure comes as the price of petrol has risen to almost $3 (£1.56) a litre.
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Amidst the fuel scare, a dispute between ‘father and son’ started in the courtyard of the petrol station.
Additionally, more than 100 petrol stations have reported that they have run out of fuel.
The Sun understands that panic buying in the state is “worse than during the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Popular Australian hardware outlet Bunnings has reported that stores are running out of jerry cans.
The chaos has been compared to the post-apocalyptic world depicted in Mad Max where fuel had become a scarce commodity.
An employee at a Melbourne Bunnings outlet told The Sun that jerry can shipments were flying off the shelves “45 minutes after being restocked”.
“We haven’t run out of every single jerry can, but the really popular large liter ones are going away,” the employee said.
“We are getting deliveries of jerry cans at least three to four times a week and once we fill the shelves within 45 minutes they are gone.”
The employee said the company is having to “source to different suppliers” for gasoline storage as people across the country are nervous about buying the commodity.
“We’re bringing in different items for promotion and selling them in stock wherever they’ll fit in the promo section of the floor,” he said.
“As people are stocking up on fuel, stores are creating promotional front ends (of the aisle) and selling them right at the front of the store so people just come in, buy them and leave.”
He also said that stores are “getting to the point that (purchases) have to be limited to one or two jerry cans per customer per day”.
“People are also trying to use water storage jerry cans to keep petrol, but because they are not made of the right plastic, they are either melting or bursting,” the employee said.
“The plastic that is used for actual jerry cans is designed to hold them Duration of time, while watering cans are not designed for this – so the petrol stops or becomes unusable.
The mistake has reached such a level that the employee said stores are putting up signage warning customers not to use water storage for fuel.
Australia imports 90 percent of its fuel, almost all of which comes from Asian refineries.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to meet state leaders next week to organize a national response to the growing crisis.
But leaders in Sydney and New South wales The demand for free public transport has reportedly been rejected.
The move comes after the Australian Association of Convenience Stores – the trade body for service stations – reported an increase in thefts of up to 50 per cent across the country.
Frustrated drivers are also reportedly vandalizing farms and rural properties to extract diesel.
Since the conflict in Iran began, the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz has been largely restricted. Australia And elsewhere in the broader Asia-Pacific region it is in danger of collapsing under the pressure of war.
Petrol prices have risen from an average of $1.70 per liter (£0.88) to an average of $2.50, according to local media.
On Sunday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen said offering free public transport would make it more affordable for people to use trains, buses and trams. driving.
“This is a temporary measure to help with the cost of living – it will take pressure off the pump and help you save,” she said.
“This won’t solve every problem, but it is an immediate step forward to help Victorians while we continue to work on new solutions to make Victoria more affordable.”
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliffe said the state’s residents were increasingly preferring to use public transport rather than driving, with usage increasing by 20 per cent in the past week.
“We know the rising cost of fuel is putting a strain on family budgets and that’s why we’ve again taken strong and decisive action to protect Tasmanians,” he said.
“We are stepping up to support Tasmanians at a time when they need it most, providing one of the state’s most important cost-of-living measures.”
Across Australia, fuel stations are reporting they are out of fuel after mass panic buying has left fuel shortages particularly severe in remote areas.
The country is also releasing petrol and diesel from domestic reserves to ease shortages affecting rural supply chains, mining and agriculture.
With 80 percent of Asia’s oil and LNG passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the region has been hit hard by fuel shortages and rising prices with no clear end in sight.
