Fuel queues are now an eminent daily curse that everyone who owns a two-, three-, or four-wheeler has to face. This is in addition to the agriculture and fisheries sector that is also severely affected. It has become the common enemy of all these segments of consumer groups, and fuel is an absolute necessity for daily life of all citizens alike.
It is a fact that there is a shortage of supply for many valid reasons, but it is critical that we manage the supply and distribution of fuel to all user groups so that equal distribution is ensured.
Below are some of the proposals that can be put forward for consideration by the authorities in order to reduce the strain on all stakeholders and ensure that the process is managed so that there is minimum stress on all concerned, be it the users, fuel station owners and workers, or the authorities.
Proper communication to those joining the queue
Typically, if you are to hunt for fuel for your vehicle, one of the issues most people face is to identify the proper queue to join. We might think that this is easy, but practically, some drivers may not be able to look at the last vehicle in a queue and decide whether it is the queue for petrol or for diesel.
There is also a need to segregate the fuel lines by the variants of fuel, such as Auto Diesel/Super Diesel or 92-octane/95-octane, etc. Thus, proper signage at the end of a queue to identify the line will help all users. One more simple requirement is for someone to hold a simple sign board informing the arrival details, availability, type of fuel, and the quantity or the number of vehicles it can serve.
The new app developed will be a great tool once it is fine-tuned, but we need to question whether all those who stand in these queues will have smartphones and data availability for them to access this information. Therefore, information availability physically is a must.
A parking system for vehicles in line
Create a “fuel park” in places where there is congestion or where the road space is limited. Issue a log number for each vehicle that enters the park and vehicles can be called in batches when fuel is available at the relevant station based on these log numbers. This will help in preventing lots of issues people have to face in standing in a long queue, including the availability of sanitary facilities and food availability.
For example, there is one fuel station close to the Viharamahadevi Park and another right opposite the Nelum Pokuna. So why not use the Nelum Pokuna premises (which have sanitary facilities, while a few food outlets can also be set up) to park the vehicles until the fuel arrives, and get them to the fuel station once the fuel arrives? This location can be immediately converted as a pilot project.
As indicated, two of the main issues that most consumers face in queues, especially in Colombo and the main city limits, are the lack of sanitary facilities and food availability. If this is solved immediately, it will reduce the tension and stress people have to endure, making the process smoother and also removing most of the issues, such as jumping the queue and unnecessary issues due to this.
This will also avoid strain or damage that might be caused to a vehicle by starting and stopping it several times, and unnecessary fuel consumption while moving the vehicle ahead in the fuel queue or keeping the vehicle idle.
The newly developed fuel app can also be updated so that the consumers can be notified of their turn through this app, but until this is done, it is critical that the relevant Municipal Councils install a few mobile toilets for consumers in the queue, as this is a very critical matter that needs attention immediately.
A fuel card to regulate purchases
A fuel card can be issued for each individual through banks, and thus limit fuel purchases based on a quota. We have heard that every disaster comes with many opportunities. This is a chance for us to regulate the entire set of automotive users, be it two- or three-wheelers, or others. This is an opening to ensure that all vehicles are in the users’ name as far as much as possible.
This can be done through a fuel card (like a debit or credit card issued through a bank) quite easily, as the limit can be issued in terms of value, and without restricting the location. The current indication by the authorities is to limit the quota through registering vehicles in a selected station, which is impractical.
For example, what about a vehicle from Colombo that is travelling to Kalutara or any other distant location? Are we expecting this vehicle to return to Colombo for pumping fuel? A fuel card with a limit based on ownership, type of vehicle, or whatever the practical and relevant criteria, may be a better way to manage this.
There is also a digital-based solution that is offered by Dialog and Mobitel using near-field communication (NFC) technology. These systems have already proven to be successful, and any quota can also be worked through these systems as well, without much cost and time investment. It is a simple system where the customer maintains a deposit with the fuel vendor, and can pump fuel up to a pre-defined limit, while the relevant data can be monitored by the user as well as by the service provider. For example, each time a customer pumps fuel, they receive an update of their remaining quota, usage, limit, etc.
Utilising the available workforce
The excess staff recruited as Government employees can be used to manage the fuel queues, including handling of signage, updating data, and managing the fuel parks. It is essential that the information is continuously updated both physically and online in order to reduce pressure on all stakeholders.
Exclusive stations for prioritised fuel-seekers
A fuel station in Colombo can be designated exclusively for pumping fuel for essential service providers, such as doctors/medical staff, garbage collectors, etc., although it would be extremely difficult to segregate which service is essential or not. All the passenger and tourist buses that are deemed essential can be issued fuel through Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) fuel pumps, but this may also be limited to a quota so that it will not create a new business opportunity from pumping fuel for resale. One more option to consider is to have a few exclusive fuel stations catering to the commercial vehicles, where there is sufficient space for accommodating them.
Pre-filled ‘fuel cans’ for two- and three-wheelers
For a fact we know that most two-/three-wheelers generally pump two to five litres at a given time. So a pre-filled “fuel can” may be a good way to reduce the queue for the two- and three-wheelers. They only have to drive in and drive out if a pre-filled can is a practical idea from a safety point of view. This method can also be used to ration the supply for these users.
An online platform to register vehicles for a fuel quota
There is fresh news that the Government is to start registering vehicles to maintain a fuel quota. Whilst this is a good initiative, it requires that three-wheelers be registered through police stations, buses and vans through SLTB depots, etc. It is thus a must that an online platform is provided for this registration, especially in a situation where consumers cannot find enough fuel to even visit any of these places, and also due to the poor accessibility of these locations. Is there a way to use the registration of persons, or Registrar of Motor Vehicles databases via an extension, or any other quick method, to fulfil this requirement?
(The writer is a senior management professional and a leading Automotive Trade expert in Sri Lanka. He is also the Ex-Chair of the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association [CMTA], with over 30 years in the trade, handling some of the world’s leading brands and also dealing with regulating the auto industry and the regulatory authorities)
………………………………
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
Managing the fuel queues and quotas
23 Jun 2022
Managing the fuel queues and quotas
23 Jun 2022
Fuel queues are now an eminent daily curse that everyone who owns a two-, three-, or four-wheeler has to face. This is in addition to the agriculture and fisheries sector that is also severely affected. It has become the common enemy of all these segments of consumer groups, and fuel is an absolute necessity for daily life of all citizens alike.
It is a fact that there is a shortage of supply for many valid reasons, but it is critical that we manage the supply and distribution of fuel to all user groups so that equal distribution is ensured.
Below are some of the proposals that can be put forward for consideration by the authorities in order to reduce the strain on all stakeholders and ensure that the process is managed so that there is minimum stress on all concerned, be it the users, fuel station owners and workers, or the authorities.
Proper communication to those joining the queue
Typically, if you are to hunt for fuel for your vehicle, one of the issues most people face is to identify the proper queue to join. We might think that this is easy, but practically, some drivers may not be able to look at the last vehicle in a queue and decide whether it is the queue for petrol or for diesel.
There is also a need to segregate the fuel lines by the variants of fuel, such as Auto Diesel/Super Diesel or 92-octane/95-octane, etc. Thus, proper signage at the end of a queue to identify the line will help all users. One more simple requirement is for someone to hold a simple sign board informing the arrival details, availability, type of fuel, and the quantity or the number of vehicles it can serve.
The new app developed will be a great tool once it is fine-tuned, but we need to question whether all those who stand in these queues will have smartphones and data availability for them to access this information. Therefore, information availability physically is a must.
A parking system for vehicles in line
Create a “fuel park” in places where there is congestion or where the road space is limited. Issue a log number for each vehicle that enters the park and vehicles can be called in batches when fuel is available at the relevant station based on these log numbers. This will help in preventing lots of issues people have to face in standing in a long queue, including the availability of sanitary facilities and food availability.
For example, there is one fuel station close to the Viharamahadevi Park and another right opposite the Nelum Pokuna. So why not use the Nelum Pokuna premises (which have sanitary facilities, while a few food outlets can also be set up) to park the vehicles until the fuel arrives, and get them to the fuel station once the fuel arrives? This location can be immediately converted as a pilot project.
As indicated, two of the main issues that most consumers face in queues, especially in Colombo and the main city limits, are the lack of sanitary facilities and food availability. If this is solved immediately, it will reduce the tension and stress people have to endure, making the process smoother and also removing most of the issues, such as jumping the queue and unnecessary issues due to this.
This will also avoid strain or damage that might be caused to a vehicle by starting and stopping it several times, and unnecessary fuel consumption while moving the vehicle ahead in the fuel queue or keeping the vehicle idle.
The newly developed fuel app can also be updated so that the consumers can be notified of their turn through this app, but until this is done, it is critical that the relevant Municipal Councils install a few mobile toilets for consumers in the queue, as this is a very critical matter that needs attention immediately.
A fuel card to regulate purchases
A fuel card can be issued for each individual through banks, and thus limit fuel purchases based on a quota. We have heard that every disaster comes with many opportunities. This is a chance for us to regulate the entire set of automotive users, be it two- or three-wheelers, or others. This is an opening to ensure that all vehicles are in the users’ name as far as much as possible.
This can be done through a fuel card (like a debit or credit card issued through a bank) quite easily, as the limit can be issued in terms of value, and without restricting the location. The current indication by the authorities is to limit the quota through registering vehicles in a selected station, which is impractical.
For example, what about a vehicle from Colombo that is travelling to Kalutara or any other distant location? Are we expecting this vehicle to return to Colombo for pumping fuel? A fuel card with a limit based on ownership, type of vehicle, or whatever the practical and relevant criteria, may be a better way to manage this.
There is also a digital-based solution that is offered by Dialog and Mobitel using near-field communication (NFC) technology. These systems have already proven to be successful, and any quota can also be worked through these systems as well, without much cost and time investment. It is a simple system where the customer maintains a deposit with the fuel vendor, and can pump fuel up to a pre-defined limit, while the relevant data can be monitored by the user as well as by the service provider. For example, each time a customer pumps fuel, they receive an update of their remaining quota, usage, limit, etc.
Utilising the available workforce
The excess staff recruited as Government employees can be used to manage the fuel queues, including handling of signage, updating data, and managing the fuel parks. It is essential that the information is continuously updated both physically and online in order to reduce pressure on all stakeholders.
Exclusive stations for prioritised fuel-seekers
A fuel station in Colombo can be designated exclusively for pumping fuel for essential service providers, such as doctors/medical staff, garbage collectors, etc., although it would be extremely difficult to segregate which service is essential or not. All the passenger and tourist buses that are deemed essential can be issued fuel through Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) fuel pumps, but this may also be limited to a quota so that it will not create a new business opportunity from pumping fuel for resale. One more option to consider is to have a few exclusive fuel stations catering to the commercial vehicles, where there is sufficient space for accommodating them.
Pre-filled ‘fuel cans’ for two- and three-wheelers
For a fact we know that most two-/three-wheelers generally pump two to five litres at a given time. So a pre-filled “fuel can” may be a good way to reduce the queue for the two- and three-wheelers. They only have to drive in and drive out if a pre-filled can is a practical idea from a safety point of view. This method can also be used to ration the supply for these users.
An online platform to register vehicles for a fuel quota
There is fresh news that the Government is to start registering vehicles to maintain a fuel quota. Whilst this is a good initiative, it requires that three-wheelers be registered through police stations, buses and vans through SLTB depots, etc. It is thus a must that an online platform is provided for this registration, especially in a situation where consumers cannot find enough fuel to even visit any of these places, and also due to the poor accessibility of these locations. Is there a way to use the registration of persons, or Registrar of Motor Vehicles databases via an extension, or any other quick method, to fulfil this requirement?
(The writer is a senior management professional and a leading Automotive Trade expert in Sri Lanka. He is also the Ex-Chair of the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association [CMTA], with over 30 years in the trade, handling some of the world’s leading brands and also dealing with regulating the auto industry and the regulatory authorities)
………………………………
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!