Students Struck By Rising Fuel Costs

By Katie McShane

With Donald Trump’s increasing involvement in global issues, new war in Iran, and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, the last few weeks have done nothing but expose the reliance we have on fuel from the Middle East as well as our vulnerability because of it. Fuel prices hit record highs in Ireland and the UK, and the consequences of this have begun to seep into every aspect of life. One demographic affected, which may have slipped through the media’s cracks, despite its heavy usage of transport, is students. 

Every student in NI avails of fuel, from taking the U1 to campus, driving in every morning, or taking the bus home at the weekend. The Easter Break may have delayed the heartbreak of filling up the tank, but I wouldn’t be surprised if our return to classes didn’t also come with a dip into the student loan. The Belfast Beer-Bike is beginning to look very tempting for the next food shop run.

It is no wonder that this has been a heavy hit to a lot of young people. The cost of living and studying already has many students in an unstable financial situation.  Student loans can only go so far, and when you weigh up tuition costs, accommodation, food, and every other expense a student is subject to, additional unexpected costs can be a major blow to even the most careful budgeter. Even if they have a job, unless they can walk to work, this may put further strain on their finances. There is nothing more disheartening than spending money to make money, except maybe spending your weekly Babba budget not on shots but on filling up your 2008 Corsa just to serve the elderly at your minimum wage job.

Students are already known for their unstable finances, and yet no mention of them throughout this entire media storm. Not only this, but a large portion of students travel home on the weekends – to see family, to work, or for local sports. I caught up with one such student who was able to tell me that “The recent fuel prices are concerning. It’s meant having to budget more carefully”. Recent protests because of such prices only further added to the stress, “With some petrol stations even running out of fuel, it had me wondering if I would even be able to make the journey at times”. I’m sure the same can be said for any commuting student from outside Belfast and further afield.

Thankfully, fuel costs have begun to drop; however, as peace talks continue to fall through, the situation only grows more volatile. Can we trust they won’t rise again? Probably not, at least not until the Strait reopens. Until then, it’s time to save our holiday money (Goodbye Europe, Hello dwindling air fuel supply) and get those steps up. Did someone say ultimate (staycation) summer body?