Chaos at petrol stations over dual pricing
From Friday, car owners with foreign licence plates can only purchase petrol at market prices. The stations that failed to implement dual pricing were not allowed to open on Monday.
Dual pricing
Starting from Friday, foreign drivers can only purchase fuel at market prices. As 24.hu reported, it is a tricky situation because the totem pole (the pole on which the prices are written in big letters, clearly visible from a distance) shows the official prices, while the petrol dispenser charges market prices – thus, customers only learn the final price at the cash register.
It is the cashier’s duty to check that the registration number and licence plates are Hungarian. In the case of a Hungarian customer, they will enter a barcode, and the petrol will cost HUF 480 (EUR 1.21) per litre instead of HUF 717 (EUR 1.81). The new system was designed to curb petrol tourism.
However, of course, some people immediately found loopholes they could exploit.
Already trying to battle supply issues?
As 24.hu writes, it was also said at the Cabinet Briefing (Kormányinfó) that the introduction of the dual price was necessary to anticipate the supply issues expected in June. According to Eszter Bujdos, managing director of holtankoljak.hu, fuel consumption always increases in June: partly because of the current agricultural work and partly because of the start of tourism.
Not every station was allowed to open on Monday
Only petrol stations that successfully implemented the dual pricing were allowed to open on Monday. Eszter Bujdos said that all the major petrol station chains except Shell had made the switch by Sunday evening.
Although, according to 24.hu, Shell had also found a solution to the problem by Monday morning.
Gábor Egri, president of the Association of Independent Petrol Stations (Független Benzinkutak Szövetsége, FBSZ), estimates that hundreds out of the total of 800-900 (non-networked, smaller) petrol stations were unable to open on Monday morning because their cash register systems could not switch to dual pricing.
The solution is more difficult at automatic petrol stations
Another article of 24.hu writes that MOL informed them that the traditional petrol dispensers had been switched, while the automatic dispensers had been suspended. But this, as they said, did not affect pricing.
Customers who arrive with Hungarian licence plates and use the automatic dispensers can pay the official price at the shop, as is the case with normal dispensers.
The new regulation creates a lot of tension
Eszter Bujdos said there were reports of public complaints and even serious atrocities – over the weekend, two petrol stations were vandalised by angry drivers. Customers can also expect a longer waiting time as people who forget to take their registration documents when they go to the cashier have to return to their car to fetch them while the others are waiting in line.
Gábor Egri added that the cashiers complain that drivers make rude remarks when asked to show their registration papers.
However, the cashiers have no authority over this regulation. According to him, double pricing is not a workable solution because it encourages abuse of the law by both drivers and employees.
There have been cases of foreigners buying cheaper petrol with fake licence plates, cashiers willing to charge less for some extra cash in their pockets, or drivers paying the market price and then demanding reimbursement because they forgot to mention they had Hungarian licence plates.
Read alsoPetrol shortage? Here is how and how much you can buy now in Hungary
Source: 24.hu, DNH
4 Comments
Ill considered, rushed laws and regulations do tend to bite you in the /ss … Freedom of movement and residence for persons in the European Union is THE cornerstone of EU – and our politicians have decided it does not apply to Hungary.
Save your receipts, wait for the EU to react and the Hungarian authorities to retract the rule, and demand compensation.
ARE readers – Citizens of Hungary, especially those that NEED Fuel in Private or “other” vehicles for whatever Purpose – at this CHAOS.
It is ALL in the Big Factual picture – that comes back to the CHAOS state that the Economy of Hungary is in, which will WORSEN.
@disorder : Hungary is under constant attack from The Liberal Elite, Brussels Bureaucrats, Soros Lapdogs and Immigrant Hordes – it must be defended ! Our Politicians stand firm to protect us ! Trust and follow The Leader !
Keep destroying RELATIONSHIPS does Hungary, under this Dictatorial style of Government, headed by its present PrimeMinister – Victor Orban, with the European Union.
Divide – Separate focused at bringing down the European Union, the inability of a Government – to work in and with – other Member Countys of the European Union, abide by the LAWS of Membership of a Member Country of the European Union – and there are OTHER examples – on a growing list, why Hungary – its membership of the European Union – is growing in FRAGILITY.
Dominating the Hungarian list of growing unceratainties – is its strong downward trend of its Economic & Financial position.
Immediate FUTURE – keep eyes and ears OPEN as it is in a very very interesting developeing phase of the next stage in the History of Hungary.