New Jersey drivers may finally get to pump own gas

[Steven Holzinger]

I might be the only person in NJ who would support self-serve gas stations since I absolutely LOVE to pump my own gas...



LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - New Jersey drivers for the first time in 57 years may soon be able to pump their own gas.

In the name of safety, the Garden State has required that attendants fill up the tanks, but sky-high gasoline prices may force a change in the decades-old law, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine indicated on Thursday.

If the governor's idea takes hold, Oregon would be the only U.S. state left not to allow self-service at gas pumps.

Corzine will ask the state legislature to authorize a pilot self-service gas program to study potential savings, his office said in a statement.

New Jersey outlawed self-service gasoline stations in 1949 as a safety issue, and when most of the rest of the United States went to self-service pumps after a spike in gasoline prices in the mid-1970s, New Jersey stood fast.

"If I pay less, yeah, I'll pump my own gas," said Bob Bazzanella of Hillsdale in northern New Jersey. "As long as they keep the taxes down so we're cheaper than New York."

With a lower tax rate on gasoline than neighboring New York, New Jersey's prices are lower, even with attendants handling the pumps.

According to the AAA motor club, the average price for regular gasoline in New Jersey on Thursday was $2.87 a gallon, compared to $3.10 per gallon in New York. The national average on Thursday was $2.93.

There was no estimate given by Corzine's office how much money drivers may save if self-service is allowed.

Is Oregon planning to study self-service also?

"Not anytime soon," said Lonn Hoklin, spokesman for Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski.

There is no impetus from Kulongoski to study self-service stations, and the Oregon legislature is out of session until next January anyway, Hoklin said.

[LGA777]

Steven. while I am not a NJ resident I do by gas in NJ regularly and I think it's great. I am in NJ usually about 10-15 times a year and I always like to fill up the tank due to the sometimes significant difference in price from New York. The above mentioned AAA difference in price sounds conservative, I have seen much larger differences than that. Anyway now I can fully top off my tank, could probably squeeze about 1/2 gal or more in than the full service guys do. Thanks for posting Steven !

Cheers

LGA777

[AAGold]

Unfortunately, not a good thing. Hopefully it won't come to fruition. Why? Think about all of the older citizens who have difficulty getting around and doing things. Pumping gas is not easy for them and will force them to go to stations who charge considerably more to pump the gas. So while it may good for a majority, it will definitely hurt some.

It's always been good knowing that in the middle of a rain or snow storm you didn't have to get out and pump gas.

Art

[mikephotos]

Unfortunately, not a good thing. Hopefully it won't come to fruition. Why? Think about all of the older citizens who have difficulty getting around and doing things. Pumping gas is not easy for them and will force them to go to stations who charge considerably more to pump the gas. So while it may good for a majority, it will definitely hurt some.

It's always been good knowing that in the middle of a rain or snow storm you didn't have to get out and pump gas.

Art

Art, not to be nasty or offend the old folks (no, you're not one yet :)) but if someone has a hard time pumping gas (excludes special circumstances like the handycap) but I wouldn't want them driving while I'm on the road with my kids. If they can't handle pumping I'd be afraid they wouldn't be able to handle the wheel.

Mike

[FlyingColors]

Unfortunately, not a good thing. Hopefully it won't come to fruition. Why? Think about all of the older citizens who have difficulty getting around and doing things. Pumping gas is not easy for them and will force them to go to stations who charge considerably more to pump the gas. So while it may good for a majority, it will definitely hurt some.

It's always been good knowing that in the middle of a rain or snow storm you didn't have to get out and pump gas.

Art

What a bunch of bull!
Reason is you just don't want to put out that cigarett while filling up!
Your so behind the times, minus no more film for you.
Now go on and light up, break out the lead paint and while your at it buy some stock in abeastos insulation.

(Mike, well said)