MONTREAL – Are Montrealers getting the short end of the gas pump?
According to CAA-Quebec’s findings on last year’s prices, the answer is a definite “yes.”
Motorists on the island are paying more than most other major cities in the province.
READ MORE: Gas prices in Montreal: has “pain at the pump” become the “new normal”?
Last year, the average price for a litre of gasoline in Montreal was $1.168 – at least four cents a litre higher than Quebec City and Sherbrooke.
Why so expensive?
Apparently, retailers in Montreal hike up their prices before the weekend.
CAA-Quebec pointed out these rates are excessive and unjustified.
“There was 17 times when the price went up on a Friday, 11 out of these 17 times were not justified,” said CAA-Quebec spokesperson Anne-Sophie Hamel.
“We don’t know why the price went up – and we’re talking about 10 to 12 cents.”
Hurting motorists
“I don’t put gas on Fridays,” one customer at Petro-Canada told Global News.
“Sometimes the gas goes higher on Thursdays and Fridays. I try to put gas in on Mondays.”
“I’m kind of mad because I know they’re doing well in the oil industry, so we pay for that,” said another client at the Esso station on Atwater Street.
READ MORE: Gas prices in Montreal, Quebec City didn’t follow supply and demand
CAA-Quebec acknowledges that it’s up to the retailers to set their prices, but it wants an answer as to why these rates are allowed.
“It’s up to the industry, unfortunately,” said Hamel.
“It’s a free market, so there’s not really a law that can be passed. If there’s something that can be done we’re more than happy to see more regulations, but it’s a free market.”
There is some good news though: prices have dropped in 2016.
The average cost for a litre of gas on Monday morning: 90.9 cents.