Vancouver –
The announcement of a provincial-ordered gasoline allocation prompted many drivers to flock to the pumps on BC’s Lower Mainland Friday – with some stations selling out as a result.
Under the order, motorists in Southwest BC are only allowed to fill up with 30 liters of gas at each stop, a measure intended to ensure that commercial and emergency vehicles can continue to operate amid severe weather conditions. storm-related supply problems.
Deputy Prime Minister Mike Farnworth said the planned allocation rule would be in place until December 1 and asked drivers to remain calm and patient until then.
“It’s been 10 to 11 days that we have to regroup as a province, especially here in the Lower Mainland,” Farnworth said Friday. “If we do it, we succeed. If we are greedy, we fail.”
Following the announcement, there were long lines at gas stations in the area as motorists tried to ensure they would have enough fuel for the coming days. That resulted in some stations running out before the weekend.
“It really worries me because I go back and forth between Port Moody and Maple Ridge,” one driver told CTV News.
Pictures also appeared on social media of some gas stations selling fuel for up to 199.9 cents per liter in areas of Metro Vancouver, although they have yet to be verified.
Port Moody resident Allie Chapman was working overnight in Vancouver and saw a Main Street station selling for 197.6 cents a liter around 12:45 a.m., but didn’t stop to refill it.
“Absolutely not, I drove down to the block and got it for $1.60,” Chapman told CTV News.
BC’s allocation order prohibits the price manipulation of profit margins between gas stations and prohibits the public from purchasing fuel for resale.
It also includes fines for anyone caught abusing, threatening or being aggressive with gas station employees.
Gasoline supplies have been limited since a severe storm last Sunday forced the Trans Mountain pipeline to close and block access to every major highway connecting Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley to the rest. of the province.
Officials have stressed that BC is working on “new ways” to get gasoline into the province, including by truck and barge from as far away as California.
Even so, Farnworth urges motorists to use public transport as much as possible until supply issues are resolved.
“If you can avoid traveling, working from home or taking public transport for the next 10 days, you will help ensure that we have the fuel and accessibility and the means to continue to meet when we need it,” he said Saturday after rushing for fuel.
“We know we have enough gas for essential vehicles and the people who need it if we’re cautious and frugal where we can.”
Operators of essential and emergency vehicles – including everything from fire trucks to grocery delivery vans – are exempt from the allocation order, which also applies to Vancouver Island, Bay Area Islands, Sea corridor to Sky and Sunshine Coast.
Officials said emergency and essential vehicles will continue to have “unrestricted access” to fuel, primarily using commercial card locking stations.
With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Ben Miljure
