Following recent increases in fuel prices, operators of moving, vehicle towing, and restaurant services are analyzing how the rise in fuel tariffs will impact the cost of their services. These companies are also looking for ways to reduce unnecessary trips and control monthly expenses.
Starting October 1st, diesel fuel increased by 50 fils, reaching 4.80 dirhams per liter, while special gasoline of 95 quality rose by 59 fils, amounting to 4.28 dirhams per liter.
Zeyshan Khan, a freelancer specializing in moves in Sharjah, noted that a trip to Dubai can be about 40 kilometers one way. He explained that on long-distance transports, such as furniture and residential units from Sharjah to Dubai, they have to return empty because it is impossible to load another client's furniture in Dubai. Thus, additional fuel costs on the return journey become a loss.
The full route can cover between 80 and 100 kilometers. Depending on the vehicle, fuel consumption ranges from four to seven kilometers per liter. Based on this data, the increase in diesel fuel cost adds approximately 7 to 17 dirhams per round trip.
Khan stated that these amounts are not yet included in customer bills. 'We have not started charging extra fees yet. We first look at how much we will have to top up. We calculate costs every month. If they exceed 200 dirhams, we might have to share some costs with clients. But this month we do not plan to add anything,' he said.
Transporters are also considering combining cargo from different clients into one trip. Khan added, 'We are thinking of loading one client's furniture and safely storing it for a day or two. Then we can look for another client who is moving in the same direction. If we can take the belongings of two or three clients in one trip, they save money, and we save fuel.'
Towing operators are also assessing the impact of rising fuel prices. A tow truck might go to an abandoned vehicle, deliver it to a garage, and then return to base. Rafik, a towing operator from Sharjah, specified that for a trip of 100 to 150 kilometers, the increase in diesel fuel cost could add 8 to 25 dirhams, depending on the truck's fuel consumption.
Rafik also stated that tariffs have not been raised yet. 'We haven't added anything to the client's bill. We are still checking how much extra fuel we use each month. We are not planning any changes this month,' he said. He also mentioned that the approach of winter may lead to an increase in calls from desert and mountainous areas, which could complicate managing additional fuel costs due to more long-distance orders.
When Khaleej Times asked restaurants about the impact on food delivery, they replied that the difference is smaller because most orders are delivered within nearby areas. Nazir, a restaurant owner in Al Nahda, noted, 'Our deliveries are made in close proximity, not over long distances. Motorcycles offer better fuel efficiency, and we usually refuel once a week.'
Using an approximate estimate of 40 kilometers per liter, the increase in fuel cost for a 10-kilometer delivery will be about 15 fils. A weekly refueling of 12 to 14 liters will cost approximately 7–8 dirhams more than last month. The restaurant operator emphasized that the final impact will depend on the number of orders and the distance traveled. He added, 'For a single delivery, the additional fuel cost may be small. But if there are many deliveries or the distance is greater during the day, the total additional cost can reach 1 dirham in some cases. Currently, we are not adding a separate delivery fee.'
Currently, customers are not facing immediate tariff increases for moving, towing, or food delivery. Businesses are absorbing the extra costs while studying their monthly expenditures. However, if fuel prices remain high or operators travel long distances, some businesses may revise their tariffs later.
