Area drivers have mixed feelings amid gas shortage scare

With several gas stations across Ontario running on empty, drivers in Thunder Bay say they wouldn’t know what to do if they couldn’t fill their tanks.

Pumps in Windsor, Ont., went dry about seven weeks ago and many drivers in Toronto experienced the same problem Monday.  The cause of the dry spell started when Shell Canada’s refinery in Sarnia shutdown longer than expected for maintenance.

The fuel at some stations wasn’t enough to supply customers during that time.

So far, gas stations in Thunder Bay haven’t experienced any problems, and drivers have been able to fill their tanks when needed.

Frank, who did not feel comfortable giving his last name, said he spends on average about $200 a week to fill his Ford F-150 truck.

He said he depended on his vehicle for work and didn’t know what he would do if he wasn’t able to drive.

“I don’t know what I would do because I need this for work because I’m self-employed so I would have to stay home,” Frank said. “I remember when the price for gas was fluctuating people would hoard gas to try and save money. “

While some people go to one of the stations at Fort William First Nation for cheaper gas, Frank said it wasn’t worth it for him to drive across town and back for a few cents of savings.

Leigh Neilson didn’t share Frank’s concerns.

She said if the pumps were to run dry, she wouldn’t be too worried because she could just walk to work.

“I didn’t know there was a gas shortage in Ontario but I did hear about it in other cities near the east coast,” Neilson said. “I’m not concerned. I don’t live that far from work.”

One man, who did not feel comfortable giving his name, said he didn’t know how much he spent on gas per week because it depended on how much he drove.  He said he wasn’t too concerned about the gas shortage.

“What can anyone do if there’s no gas,” the man said. “When I need gas I buy it. You either drive or you don’t.”

A spokesperson for Shell said in an email that they are working to address the disruption and working to maximize production in the comings days to offset the supply shortage.
 
 


Follow Jeff Labine on Twitter: @Labine_Reporter.