Hours before Finance Minister Colm Imbert announced a 15 per cent hike in super unleaded gas and diesel fuel, several gas stations in San Fernando ran out of supply.
The long lines caused by panic-buying started after dawn and continued until late evening as word spread that fuel prices had jumped with immediate effect. Super fuel rose from $2.70 a litre to $3.11 a litre, while diesel rose from $1.50 per litre to $1.72 per litre.
At the Accel Service station in Cross Crossing, Rodney Bissoon, of Debe, said he was taking no chances.
"We know the minister is going to cut the gas subsidy so I making sure to fill up my tank from early before the price is raised," Bissoon said. A senior worker from the gas station said super unleaded gas ran out around 10 am. The influx of motorists started at 6 am.
"We had a lot of lines this morning and we ran out of super gas. All we selling now is premium. Right now we waiting for super gas but if the minister increases the gas prices we will have no other choice but to close the station. NP will have to come in and adjust the pumps and we will reopen from tomorrow," he said.
He said the gas hike would be minimal and was something that the public could handle.
"I don't think it will be any big increase. If they do increase it, the hike will be small. I feel they will also increase the price of diesel, maybe a ten cent on a litre," the worker said.
At the Royal Service Station in San Fernando, long lines were also seen from 7 am. At the La Carib Service Station at Carib Street, super gasoline also ran short. However, an official said NP quickly responded and replenished the fuel supply.
"Everybody is engaging in panic-buying, not just today but all weekend long. All the gas stations in San Fernando ran out because the price of super and diesel are expected to go up," she said.
The official said super unleaded gas sold at $2.70 a litre while premium unleaded sold at $5.75.
As he unveiled a $63 billion Budget, Imbert said it was important to reduce the fuel subsidy as Government needed to cut back on expenditure because of the global economic downslide and falling energy prices.
Long lines continued at service stations up to late evening, causing several gas stations to close up operations.