Prices of fuel, alcohol and ferry tickets go up today
Starting today, fuel and alcohol are moderately more expensive, with tobacco to follow later in the year. Ferry tickets also cost more, and train tickets will follow suit on February 15.
Excise duties increase by 10 percent on petrol, 14 percent on diesel, and 15 percent on alcohol. The influence on consumer price per litre is about five cents for petrol, and seven cents for diesel.
Mainly due to generally low fuel prices there was no run on cheaper fuels before this year’s increase. According to Kai Realo of Statoil Eesti, the difference to private consumers is small, and won't affect most by more than about 3 euros a month, depending on consumption.
The only group that is worried are the forwarding companies. Realo said that the higher excise duties would affect those companies’ overheads, and as in Latvia and Lithuania the price per litre of diesel is close to 10 cents lower than in Estonia, especially the companies operating internationally will increasingly fill up abroad.
Including tobacco, which will get more expensive on July 1 this year, the Government is hoping to gain additional revenue of 111 million euros this year.
Ferry and train ticket prices
Ferry ticket prices to Saaremaa and Hiiumaa increase by an average 14 percent on the Virtsu-Kuivastu, Rohuküla-Heltermaa and Triigi-Sõru lines. Islanders continue to enjoy a 50 percent discount on all lines.
According to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure, Kristen Michal, the ticket price increase is necessary because of changing salaries and the end of state subsidies on fuel. The last time ferry prices increased was in early 2013.
Elron’s train service is also getting more expensive, with the company raising prices on February 15. Prices will go up by about 7 percent, with price limits per zone now at 1.20 euros (one zone), 1.90 euros (two zones), 2.40 euros (three zones) and 3 euros (four zones).
The company can also add a 40 percent surcharge to first class tickets, and a 45 percent surcharge to express line tickets.
Editor: Dario Cavegn