Transport – Why some petrol stations in the Puy-de-Dôme are dry
At the beginning of August, motorists also have to drive more than expected in Clermont-Ferrand to refuel. With the result that transitions between July and August or simple day trips are put to the test! The reason ? A shortage of unleaded 95 and unleaded 98 fuel at several stores. A deficiency that could also affect super ethanol and diesel.
A mix of several factors
Managers interviewed on Wednesday, August 3, say holidaymakers, drawn by the “fuel at cost” operations of some major retailers, rushed to the pump. In addition to the very high number of visitors last weekend, superethanol and diesel tanks were out of stock at some overloaded petrol stations. Some traders were surprised and did not expect orders from suppliers.
“There’s no shortage of gasoline, but it’s more of a transportation issue. There aren’t enough truck drivers at the moment. »
Florent Gregoris (Sales Manager of the Leclerc Pardieu branch, Clermont-Ferrand)
Questionable ? Holiday departures also for drivers, but not only. Two of the contacted interlocutors mentioned ongoing strikes at the transport companies. Several station managers assure that they could not get any further information within their franchise. “They don’t tell us anything upstairs, it’s a surprise when a truck comes to supply us with petrol,” even a manager who wants to remain anonymous is annoyed.
The problems with the Total brand pumps can also be explained by the closure of the Feyzin refinery in the Lyon area. The cause is the start of a fire in one of the transformers on July 9th.
For many, the problem lasted only 24 hours, as at the Casino Carburant Berthelot gas station in Clermont. “On Monday we had the tanks dry, but on Tuesday morning a driver came to deliver to us, it didn’t take long,” explains the director.
Managers want to reassure their customers: “If the problem isn’t fixed, it should be within 24 or 48 hours. »
During the summer, truck traffic is prohibited on the entire French road network on Saturdays 16, 23 and 30 July and on Saturdays 6, 13 and 20 August from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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