Slovak motorists enjoy cheaper fuels amid oil price slump

With oil prices slumping to an unprecedented 12-year low, Slovak drivers have been enjoying cheaper petrol and diesel, favouring businesses as well, according to a report from the Hospodárske Noviny daily on Thursday. Lower fuel prices mean lower costs for transport companies, which can afford to lower their prices. "While in December 2014 the level of the fuel surcharge was 17.5 percent, in December 2015 it was only 13 percent", said Mária Džundová, marketing director of courier delivery services company TNT. DHL also confirmed an adjustment to its price list. The Pravda daily notes that this trend is expected to continue in the next few months. The price of diesel at petrol stations in Slovakia has now fallen under €1 per litre, while the typical price of petrol has trickled below €1.20 per litre. Passengers can also look forward to cheaper travel, partly thanks to competition in the market. For example, Student Agency has begun to sell tickets on the Bratislava-Vienna bus route for €4, while other bus carriers are charging €5-8. "It was possible to set this price level partly thanks to lower fuel prices. Despite this, the route is profitable", said Ivana Kašická from Student Agency. According to her, public transport in Slovakia is overpriced by 15-20 percent.