Oil prices soar, Paris ride-hailing platform drivers lament "the further they drive, the more they lose"

Maud Bregeon, Acting Minister for Energy Affairs and government spokesperson, stated today on the French media RMC/BFM-TV program that after the Easter holidays, about 18% of gas stations experienced at least one type of fuel shortage. The supply difficulties stemmed from logistics and transportation issues. She said that over 80% of the gas stations experiencing supply difficulties belonged to TotalEnergies, and these stations had set price caps, leading to increased demand. Olivier Gantois, President of the French Union of Petroleum Industries (UFIP), had earlier stated on RTL radio that most fuel tankers were not operating during the Easter holidays, causing about a quarter of gas stations to experience at least one type of fuel shortage this morning. Replenishments would be made throughout the day, and the temporary shortage was "purely a logistics issue," not a lack of inventory. The joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran at the end of February this year, followed by Iran's retaliation and control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy transportation route, led to rising oil prices. In March, the French government proposed aid measures for specific industries, including road transport, agriculture, and fisheries. However, industry insiders believe the subsidies are insufficient, and transport operators have launched demonstrations in some areas. Ali, a Bolt ride-hailing platform driver who mainly operates in the 16th arrondissement of Paris and drives a hybrid car, told Central News Agency reporters: "We are having a very hard time. We didn't earn much to begin with, and now we earn nothing at all. In fact, the further we drive, the more we lose. I only take short trips now." Ali gave an example: he just refused a ride request from a customer who wanted to go from the 16th arrondissement in western Paris to the Bois de Vincennes in the eastern suburbs. If he accepted the order, the trip would take about 40 minutes, but he would only earn 12 or 13 euros (about NT$443 to NT$480), which is equivalent to the French basic hourly wage of about 12 euros in 2026. For him, it was not cost-effective. According to estimates by Agence France-Presse based on prices reported by gas stations to the government, the average selling price of diesel in France yesterday was 2.315 euros per liter, and SP95-E10 gasoline was 2.015 euros. The French government will later convene representatives of major trade unions and officials from economic, labor, and energy affairs to develop response plans. Le Monde reported that Sophie Binet, Secretary-General of the CGT, plans to demand an oil price cap of 1.7 euros. Bregeon said the government plans to launch new aid programs for some of the most affected industries, such as healthcare workers, home caregivers, and some farmers still in difficulty, but cannot implement measures that benefit everyone and has ruled out freezing oil prices. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150407