Gas stations to use digital systems for accurate counting
Gas stations to use digital systems for accurate counting
JAKARTA (JP): The state-owned Pertamina oil company will soon introduce digital systems in all gas stations to ensure accurate counting.
The head of the company's Jakarta and West Java divisions, Soesanto Hoesadi, said yesterday that consumers continue to complain about inaccurate money counting, even though many stations no longer use the older mechanical systems.
"But even if we don't mandate it, many station owners will shift to it anyway because they draw more customers," Soesanto said as quoted by the Antara news agency.
He did not say when Pertamina will begin using the system.
In anticipation of the Moslem Idul Fitri holidays, he said 158 gas stations in Jakarta and another 349 in West Java will cater to motorists 24 hours a day from Feb. 12 to Feb. 26.
He said 171 of these stations will sell premix.
Soesanto said Pertamina has set up task forces to monitor and assure of an adequate supply of fuel.
The teams will work seven days before and after Idul Fitri, which falls on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21.
Based on last year's experience, demands for premium raised by five percent, diesel fuel 0.6 percent and gas 9 percent.
Pertamina figures show an average demand of 10,551,000 liters a day in West Java, including Jakarta.
A member of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation responded favorably to the new policy, though he said the digital system will only solve some of problems experienced by customers.
"Technically the digital system is safer (for consumers), because the stations attendants will find it more difficult to tamper with the meter," Agus Pambagio told The Jakarta Post. Some gas station attendants will charge for 24.2 liters to 24.5 on a fill-up of 24 liters, he said citing an example.
"It may seem like a small amount but it amounts to millions of rupiah for either the attendants or managements," Agus said.
If the city's drivers of 270,000 public and private cars paid for a surplus of 0.3 liters of gas alone, this would reach Rp 56.7 million pocketed by attendants or managements of the city's 158 gas stations in one day.
Attendants also frequently refuse to return small change, which, he said, most consumers don't want.
"A small box for alms should be put up at gas stations," Agus said. "Then the consumer can donate the small change if he doesn't want it."
Last month a number of complaints were received about the practices of attendants at various gas stations.
In a letter to the Kompas daily, Bambang Yuwono wrote that he had been cheated out of almost 6.1 liters in Central Jakarta.
Another reader wrote that he intended to pay Rp 11,300 for 12.9 liters of premix, which came to Rp 11,223. But the attendant scolded him and told him to pay Rp 11,500.(anr)