More Full Service Gas Pumps in the Future?

When I was a child, I remember my mother stopping at the service station for gas and an attendant practically running out to the car. He always seemed to be glad to see us and was very pleasant.

All, or at least most of the gas pumps back then were full service. Not only would he pump gas. He cleaned the windshield, checked all the fluids under the hood and added air in the tires if needed. At no additional cost. And he always said, “thank you,” before we drove off.

The exceptional service provided by the station fueled a relationship of trust and loyalty between her as a customer and the station. As a result, when the car needed routine maintenance or general repairs, that’s where mother would take her car.

It wasn’t long afterward when full serve stations began gradually disappearing. Today in most locations, we typically see self-serve stations with technology at the pump. The technology enables the customer to insert a debit or credit card, ensuring that the business has no non-paying drive-offs as well as providing convenience to customers who are in a hurry and prefer to pump their own gas.

Oregon and New Jersey are the only two states in the United States that because of mandated laws have only full-service gas stations and require attendants trained in safety procedures to pump gas. Customers are prohibited from pumping their own gas in these states. Interestingly, these laws have withstood several challenges.

Full service gas pumps can be a controversial topic. Some of the country’s population expresses concern about higher gasoline costs for stations offering full service pumps. But for the elderly and those who have impairments because of chronic illnesses and disabilities, the full service pumps are needed. In most areas there aren’t enough full service pumps to be conveniently located near the residences of those who need them. My research turned up only half a dozen in the Roanoke area. 

Many gas stations with only self-service indicate that if the customer will blow the horn, they will be glad to assist by pumping gas for them. But often, only one person who is busy ringing up other purchases mans these stations and is unable to leave the register or when they are able to leave the register, it can be a long wait time.

The July/August 2008 Edition of Mental & Physical Disability Law Reporter indicates, “While advances in retrofitting automobiles have enabled persons with disabilities to drive, many drivers, particularly those using wheelchairs, have difficulty pumping their own gas at self-service pumps and need refueling assistance.  Due to dexterity and mobility disabilities, they cannot easily get in and out of their vehicles to use the controls, hose, or nozzle at the pumps.  Despite the protections afforded by Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the laws in 25 states, drivers with disabilities are still finding it difficult to get the assistance they need.”

According to Doonesbury, the oldest baby boomers turn 65 years of age on June 14 of this year. While most baby boomers think of themselves as young and in most cases rightfully so, we still can’t or shouldn’t ignore the fact that realistically we have a rapidly aging population. And as we get older, there is a greater chance of becoming disabled.

A related issue is our country’s disabled veterans. According to an Associated Press Article dated May 11, 2008, the number of disabled veterans has jumped by 25 percent since 2001. The number of wounded veterans is steadily increasing. It has been estimated that there are approximately 2 million amputees in this country.

The change in demographics provides an opportunity for the “powers to be” to evaluate the current and future needs for additional full service gas pumps and  ensure that any needed changes are made in such a way that don’t break the bank of the customer or the station.