Hong Kong Van Driver Faces HK$5,000 Monthly Jump In Fuel Costs

Van driver Wong Siu-po, 48, is paying an additional HK$5,000 (US$640) a month for fuel, an increase equivalent to about a third of his monthly income.

He felt life was becoming more difficult than ever as fuel prices mounted in Hong Kong, amid a global energy crisis triggered by the Middle East war.

The city’s drivers say they are cutting back on food and utility expenses as they contend with rising fuel costs.

Longer hours, lower household spending

For Wong, the mounting pressure comes with an 11-year-old daughter and an unemployed wife to support.

“I need to work three hours longer per day to make up for the loss of income,” he said.

He also identified a household expense he would reduce: “I will cut down on air conditioning to save costs.”

Source: South China Morning Post