The recent petrol hikes have many commuters worried about the rising cost of transport.<\/p>\n
The good news?<\/p>
These clever hacks might help contain those increasing expenses.<\/p>\n
1. Consider carpooling. If you\u2019re feeling the pinch, you can be sure that your colleagues and friends are just as concerned about the effect of transport costs on their monthly budgets as you are. Carpooling is an obvious option if one or more of your colleagues lives in your area. Work out a ride schedule, and share the expenses. The same goes for nights out \u2013 ask for a lift whenever it\u2019s feasible.<\/p>
2. Think about ride-sharing options. Ride-sharing is just like carpooling, except that you don\u2019t necessarily know the people you\u2019re riding with. Most often, you\u2019ll meet each other through a ride-sharing app (search Google to find which are available in South Africa). The bonus with ride-sharing is that it makes it possible for you to find a lift even if there isn\u2019t anyone from work in or around your neighbourhood. The app will help you locate someone who\u2019s heading in your direction.<\/p>\n
3. Consider using public transport options like the Gautrain or Uber, if you seldom use your car.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Autodealer Cares About Your Motoring Safety<\/a><\/p>\n Get fuel efficient and maintain your car for less, says MIWA<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 4. If you drive long distances to work, it\u2019s vital to up your car\u2019s fuel efficiency. If you aren\u2019t already driving a car that\u2019s light on petrol, think about changing your model. If this isn\u2019t possible, increase fuel efficiency by removing all unnecessary weight from the car (like golf clubs, or other items which you often carry around but don\u2019t use daily), keeping the windows closed and switching off the air-con.<\/p>\n 5. Keep an eye on maintenance. The small flaws add up. Tyres that aren\u2019t pumped up properly, for instance, can hinder fuel consumption. So, too, can driving with your windows open, or carrying additional equipment you don\u2019t need (think of the golf clubs you left in the car over the weekend, for instance).<\/p>\n 6. Consider registering for e-tolls. Registered e-toll users pay a capped monthly rate of R148 for motorcycles, or R266 for light vehicles, and may also benefit from discounts according to the time of their travel.<\/p>\n 7. Use tech to your advantage. That might mean hooking up your laptop so that you can work from home, even just a few days a week, or using apps like Waze to help you find the quickest, less congested route to work.<\/p>\n 8. Stop-start traffic uses more fuel, so plan your commute times to avoid heavy traffic.<\/p>\n 9. Go easy on the accelerator. Fast driving also uses more petrol.<\/p>\n 10. Shop around for the cheapest insurance, but don\u2019t forgo insurance entirely. Your monthly premiums may be a grudge, but they\u2019re less of a financial burden than having to replace a stolen car.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n