Drivers left in disbelief over shocking fuel price gap between two nearby stations
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Fuel prices have long been a hot topic, but a recent discovery has left drivers in disbelief.
What was once considered a standard part of the daily grind has turned into a puzzling and frustrating issue for commuters.
As tensions rise, the situation has sparked heated discussions about fairness, transparency, and just how much control consumers truly have.
A significant fuel price gap between two BP stations just two kilometres apart left drivers in shock.
On 29 January, a BP in Randwick was charging $2.07 per litre, while a nearby BP in Kingsford was selling for just $1.59.
The following day, the price at the Kingsford station increased to $1.63.
Peter Khoury, an NRMA spokesman, shared that he was no longer surprised by such price discrepancies.
'Don't worry about the suburb next door, often it can happen when they're a street away from each other,' he explained.
Rugby league broadcaster Dan Ginnane brought attention to the issue on social media, highlighting the price gap.
'Same time. Same company. One suburb apart,' he wrote, sharing a photo of the two stations.
His post sparked outrage from his 27,000 followers, with many expressing frustration over the situation.
'I do not understand how Australia accepts this b******* to go on! I'm sure they will blame some non-existent fuel cycle,' one commenter wrote.
Another added: 'Drove through Miranda this morning. Shell $2.15, 50m down the road 7/11 $1.75. South Coast $1.57. How does that work?'
A third remarked that it wasn't just fuel prices: 'We have the same thing happening with our local supermarkets.'
A BP spokesperson clarified that the company did not control prices at all its stations, as some were independently owned franchises.
'BP always aims to be competitive with fuel prices. Our national network of BP branded independent business partners set their own retail pricing,' the spokesperson said.
The company also noted that most of their fuel in the region was imported, so prices were affected by global oil market fluctuations.
Khoury confirmed that BP operated differently from other fuel companies due to its franchise model.
'You can own a BP service station and set your own price and they will be more competitive on price,' he explained.
The National Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA) spokesman pointed out that on 30 January in Sydney, 41 per cent of stations were selling petrol for $2.10 or more.
Meanwhile, 27 per cent were charging $1.76 or less.
The average price for regular unleaded fuel in Sydney was $1.92, with the lowest price at $1.57 and the highest at $2.16.
'This is selling the same product in the same city,' Khoury said.
He also highlighted the extra costs consumers would face if filling up at more expensive stations.
He added: 'That is a gap of 59.2 cents a litre and if you were driving your standard 55-litre tank it would cost an extra $32.50 at the most expensive compared to the cheapest.'
Fuel prices in Australia are unregulated, meaning stations are free to charge whatever they want.
While the NRMA doesn’t support price regulation, it believes it would reduce the incentive for stations to offer lower prices.
In response, legislation has been introduced across the states requiring service stations to post their prices in real time.
Khoury suggested using apps to find cheaper stations and avoid paying higher prices.
'What you want to do is give people the information that they need to find the cheap BP and not fill up at the expensive one and that's what we've been doing at the NRMA,' he said.
'You just need to get on our app to find the cheaper one and if we can get people doing that then that's the ball-game.'
The NRMA's efforts were seen as a way to reduce frustration among drivers.
'People are pissed off and this is how you stop them from being pissed off,' Khoury added.
In Australia, 44 cents of every litre of petrol or diesel sold is government tax.
With fuel prices causing frustration across Sydney, do you think the current system is fair or should there be more regulation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
What was once considered a standard part of the daily grind has turned into a puzzling and frustrating issue for commuters.
As tensions rise, the situation has sparked heated discussions about fairness, transparency, and just how much control consumers truly have.
A significant fuel price gap between two BP stations just two kilometres apart left drivers in shock.
On 29 January, a BP in Randwick was charging $2.07 per litre, while a nearby BP in Kingsford was selling for just $1.59.
The following day, the price at the Kingsford station increased to $1.63.
Peter Khoury, an NRMA spokesman, shared that he was no longer surprised by such price discrepancies.
'Don't worry about the suburb next door, often it can happen when they're a street away from each other,' he explained.
Rugby league broadcaster Dan Ginnane brought attention to the issue on social media, highlighting the price gap.
'Same time. Same company. One suburb apart,' he wrote, sharing a photo of the two stations.
His post sparked outrage from his 27,000 followers, with many expressing frustration over the situation.
'I do not understand how Australia accepts this b******* to go on! I'm sure they will blame some non-existent fuel cycle,' one commenter wrote.
Another added: 'Drove through Miranda this morning. Shell $2.15, 50m down the road 7/11 $1.75. South Coast $1.57. How does that work?'
A third remarked that it wasn't just fuel prices: 'We have the same thing happening with our local supermarkets.'
A BP spokesperson clarified that the company did not control prices at all its stations, as some were independently owned franchises.
'BP always aims to be competitive with fuel prices. Our national network of BP branded independent business partners set their own retail pricing,' the spokesperson said.
The company also noted that most of their fuel in the region was imported, so prices were affected by global oil market fluctuations.
Khoury confirmed that BP operated differently from other fuel companies due to its franchise model.
'You can own a BP service station and set your own price and they will be more competitive on price,' he explained.
The National Roads and Motorists Association (NRMA) spokesman pointed out that on 30 January in Sydney, 41 per cent of stations were selling petrol for $2.10 or more.
Meanwhile, 27 per cent were charging $1.76 or less.
The average price for regular unleaded fuel in Sydney was $1.92, with the lowest price at $1.57 and the highest at $2.16.
'This is selling the same product in the same city,' Khoury said.
He also highlighted the extra costs consumers would face if filling up at more expensive stations.
He added: 'That is a gap of 59.2 cents a litre and if you were driving your standard 55-litre tank it would cost an extra $32.50 at the most expensive compared to the cheapest.'
Fuel prices in Australia are unregulated, meaning stations are free to charge whatever they want.
While the NRMA doesn’t support price regulation, it believes it would reduce the incentive for stations to offer lower prices.
In response, legislation has been introduced across the states requiring service stations to post their prices in real time.
Khoury suggested using apps to find cheaper stations and avoid paying higher prices.
'What you want to do is give people the information that they need to find the cheap BP and not fill up at the expensive one and that's what we've been doing at the NRMA,' he said.
'You just need to get on our app to find the cheaper one and if we can get people doing that then that's the ball-game.'
The NRMA's efforts were seen as a way to reduce frustration among drivers.
'People are pissed off and this is how you stop them from being pissed off,' Khoury added.
In Australia, 44 cents of every litre of petrol or diesel sold is government tax.
With fuel prices causing frustration across Sydney, do you think the current system is fair or should there be more regulation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
