If there’s one thing that all car owners will definitely agree on, it’s that the price of fuel for cars in Singapore can burn a hole in your pocket for sure.
But it seems like some people have found a “way” to get around the system.
Recently, illegal “mobile gas stations” pumping diesel into heavy vehicles were spotted at the heavy vehicle car park located at Tampines Avenue 9.
Here’s what’s been happening and what you need to know.
“Mobile Gas Station” Selling Diesel to Vehicles at Tampines Car Park
On Tuesday (7 March), a two-minute-long video of a mobile gas station was uploaded on the SG Road Vigilante – SGRV Facebook page.
The clip, which was filmed on Monday (6 March), featured at least two oil tanker trucks filled with diesel. These trucks were supplying diesel to other heavy vehicles.
In the video, which has since amassed over 140,000 views and 950 reactions on Facebook, a man behind the camera claimed multiple times in Hokkien that “someone was selling fuel” at the place.
He also spoke in a hostile manner to a short-haired elderly lady who was wearing a mask.
The lady was holding a booklet and seemed to be issuing receipts to drivers who had purchased diesel from her.
After the video made its way around social media, many netizens questioned if such a practice was legal and expressed their worry regarding the potential safety hazards of selling diesel in such a manner.
“Based on the number of refilling trucks and customers, they must have been operating for quite [some] time now. Even if it is from a legal source, I doubt they can refill vehicles in public places (paid by taxpayers most probably) due to safety and environmental issues,” one commenter wrote.
However, others in the comments section also called out the man behind the camera for being too “kaypoh” and sticking his nose in other people’s business.
Drivers’ Perspectives: Lady Boss Usually Drives a Mercedes or Porsche
When reporters from Lianhe Zaobao visited the area on Tuesday (7 March) night, they only saw two oil tanker trucks parked next to each other.
However, the area was otherwise deserted, and no one was selling diesel either.
When reporters revisited the area yesterday (8 March) morning, the oil tanker truck had already driven away, but three of the trucks were seen at the car park in the evening.
Despite this, the reporters still did not spot any of the people who were selling diesel.
On the other hand, multiple truck and bus drivers who parked their vehicles in the area after ending their workday revealed that they are no strangers to the “mobile gas station”.
When speaking to Zaobao separately, they said that the mobile gas station has been in business for quite some time now.
They also mentioned that multiple groups appear at the car park at the same time to sell diesel sometimes.
A driver who declined to be named also disclosed that the lady in the video is the boss of one of the groups.
She and her workers drive three to four diesel trucks into the car park at least once every day and once more every night.
These trucks include oil tanker trucks and lorries containing smaller drums or containers of diesel.
The driver added that the lady boss usually drives to the area in either a Mercedes-Benz or Porsche car. She is responsible for collecting the money and issuing receipts while her workers deposit the diesel into customers’ vehicles.
Petrol Sold is Half the Price of What’s Sold at Gas Stations
Apart from that, drivers interviewed by Zaobao revealed that these mobile gas stations sell their diesel at half the price of gas stations outside.
In particular, they sell diesel for less than $2 per litre.
On the other hand, according to Fuel Kaki’s website, Sinopec sells diesel at $2.61 per litre, while all the other petrol companies in Singapore sell it for $2.62 per litre.
Another driver who declined to be named also shared that many people have been discussing the issue surrounding mobile gas stations after the video featuring one of them went viral online.
As such, it seems like those running the mobile gas stations will stop their activities for the time being to avoid attracting attention.
URA and SCDF are Currently Investigating the Situation
According to the Urban Development Authority (URA), companies can only set up their own diesel pumps if they are in industries such as the taxi industry or other transport-related ones.
Additionally, those diesel pumps can only be used by vehicles of that particular company, and these companies are not permitted to sell diesel to the public.
On the other hand, when responding to queries from Zaobao, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that they are aware of the video regarding the illegal mobile gas stations.
SCDF is also currently investigating the violation as it is illegal to store or refuel fuel or flammable substances in unlicensed locations according to the Fire Safety Act.
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Apart from that, the URA is also investigating the case with respect to the Parking Places Rules.
The rules state that parking lots in car parks can only be used for parking cars unless written approval is obtained.
The rules also mention that parking lots cannot be used to sell or promote goods and items.
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