09 March 2008

Abu Dhabi: Motorists in Abu Dhabi now have the option of using "self-service terminals" to fill petrol in their cars - the first of its kind in the country.

Some petrol stations run by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) have introduced self-service fuel filling terminals called Outdoor Payment Terminals (OPTs), Gulf News has learnt.

"The self-service terminals (OPTs ) installed on a trial basis accept only prepaid e-cash cards issued by the company," said sources. "The company has already installed OPTs on a trial basis at about 14 filling stations in Abu Dhabi," the source added.

Customers have been using the self-service terminals through a prepaid multi purpose card called "Rahal" which can be used for car wash, oil change, purchase of cooking gas (LPG) and shopping at Oasis supermarkets at fuel stations, said an official at an Adnoc filling station.

Many customers say that it is convenient as they do not have to wait for the attendant and for the small change but many others also think it would be a difficult option for motorists especially during the summer.

A petrol station staff told Gulf News that the sales attendants on duty help the new customers who try the "self-service terminal".

Ahmad Al Za'abi, an Emirati businessman, said it was a welcome step. "Anybody can easily use it". A.A., another Emirati businessman, said the key advantage is that station attendants will not be exposed to petrol fumes which affect their health.

"Also, the prepaid cards will help my monthly budgeting," he said.

Another Emirati said personally he will use it, but converting all filling points to self-service terminals will not be a good move. "Our women drivers may not find it good to come out of the car to fill fuel," said Ali Khalifa Al Wali, Air Traffic Controller at Abu Dhabi Airport. "Physically challenged people also cannot use it easily".

James Joseph, an Indian expatriate, said: "I doubt whether fuel stations can keep the premises clean and customers' clothes may get dirty while filling petrol".

Scheme: No plans in Dubai

Filling stations in Dubai have no plans to introduce self-service facilities on the city's forecourts.

Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc), Eppco and Emarat will not be installing Outdoor Payment Terminals (OPTs) in the near future.

Khalid Hadi, Group Brand and Marketing Manager of Enoc, said: "At this stage we have no plans to introduce self-service terminals but it is something we could look into. There is a possibility it may be introduced at a later date but I am certainly not aware of any such scheme at the moment."

Elvin Abude, Site-in-Charge at the Eppco station on Al Wasl Road, said: "It [self-service] sounds like a good idea because everything would be regularised and the customer would benefit. But there are currently no plans to implement such terminals."

Kham Magar, Supervisor at Emarat's Al Safa Park branch, thinks most customers enjoy the service already offered to them.

He said: "I have not heard anything about the self-service plans at Adnoc in Abu Dhabi. It is not something we are planning to introduce at Emarat. I think most customers prefer somebody else filling their vehicles up for them anyway."

By Binsal Abdul Kader

Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.