Gas pump prices shot up today by 4.6 cents to $1.26.1 a litre but industry experts say the worst could be over.

Taxi drivers and truckers also took a hit with diesel increasing by 1.4 cents a litre to 99.1 cents while kerosene also went up by 1.8 cents a litre to 79.3 cents.

However Shell's Oil Products Business Manager David Rose predicted that any further gas price rises would be modest with falls possible in April or May if OPEC decided to up its production.

He said: "This is the first large jump we have had.

"The US prices are jumping almost daily.

"The prices are flying in the States but we managed to keep costs down. The island is dealing with the affects this month.'' However prices are significantly up on the $1.12.1 a litre recorded last March.

But Mr. Rose said: "Crude oil prices were $10 to $11 a barrel then -- the lowest they've been for years.

"But now they are $35 a barrel. We must not lose sight of that.'' He added: "OPEC is meeting later this month to discuss increasing production.

"But we won't feel the effects straight away -- it depends how quickly production can get up.

"When I gaze into the crystal ball I don't believe prices will rise higher than right now.

"As long as the price of crude oil doesn't increase. "We may have a decrease in April.

"Gas prices went down last month but no one mentions that - this is the first jump we have had.'' And he dismissed predictions gas prices topping $1.50 as scaremongering.

"If they increase production by a million barrels a day it may soften up prices but it won't do anything to build up low reserves.

"There are a lot of different scenarios that affect prices. "We're at the mercy of the OPEC cartel -- the same as anywhere else.'' He explained how the pricing policy works in Bermuda -- the two major companies tell the government about the prices their suppliers were charging every month. Government took an average from that and set the prices accordingly.

By David Skinner Pump it up: Esso City Mart gas attendant Walter Ralph Tucker will be asking more from punters after today's price rise of almost five cents a litre.