PUMP prices fell by five cents a litre for petrol and 10 cents for diesel on Thursday.

It was the ninth straight cut since July, following a global slowdown in demand and weakened trading sentiment which has almost halved crude oil prices from a high of US$147 (S$218) a barrel just three months ago.

With the latest round of cuts, 92-, 95- and 98-octane petrol now cost $1.813, $1.846 and $1.92 a litre respectively.

The ultra-premium fuels, Shell's V-Power and Caltex's Platinum, are now priced at $2.049 and $2.046 a litre before discount.

Diesel, used by taxi-drivers and commercial fleet owners, has gone down to $1.603 a litre.

If the slide for this fuel of commerce continues at this rate, taxi operators will have to lift the 30-cent fuel surcharge they started imposing from July.