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Fuel frustration

Rumours of a looming gas shortage has some motorists panicking at the pumps.
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This Shell station on Red River Road had all of its gas pumps closed Friday. (Jodi Lundmark, tbnewswatch.com)

Rumours of a looming gas shortage has some motorists panicking at the pumps.

While local distributors say they aren't is a position to comment on a fuel shortage situation, other industry sources did confirm to TBT News that gasoline is in short supply right now. And they're pointing to a variety of reasons for the shortfall.

They include everything from a recent train derailment near Ignace that disrupted traffic to manpower issues at CP Rail that have slowed the supply of arriving tanker cars.

Although there are several full rail cars in the city right now, there are reportedly problems getting them to the tank farms on Mission Island for unloading.

It's a problem that's reportedly been growing for a couple of weeks, and as of Friday afternoon several gas bars across the city had completely run out of fuel. Long lines at other gas stations were also being reported. 

The shortfall is beginning to have an impact at the pumps. Several gas bars have confirmed they are running low on fuel.

Local distributors are reportedly doing what they can to make up for the shortfall. Their large supply of premium gasoline is being diverted for sale as regular.

They are also bringing in additional fuel by truck. While supplies are being distributed as widely as possible right now, they warn that smaller chains and independents may eventually be left without. Some stock is also being held in reserve to ensure essential services like police, fire EMS and snowplows continue uninterrupted.

There is no chance the city will run out of gasoline. At worst, some drivers may have to go in search of outlets that have fuel. Prices at the pumps will remain the same.

Still, there is no indication on when the supply problem will be resolved.

(Thunder Bay Television)





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