The new gasoline sales system in Astrakhan has resulted in long queues.

Queues at gas stations in Astrakhan after the introduction of sales on even and odd days depending on the car number have not decreased; drivers take their place in line early even at non-working gas stations, hoping to buy fuel, drivers told "Caucasian Knot." Social media users called the situation chaotic.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in the Astrakhan region against the backdrop of a gasoline shortage, a system of refueling on even and odd days depending on the last digit of the car number was introduced. In addition, 13 gas stations in Astrakhan operate according to a specific schedule. Five of them will operate from 06:00 to 13:00 Moscow time, three from 12:00 to 20:00 Moscow time, and another five from 17:00 to 23:55 Moscow time.

Long queues for gasoline remain at gas stations after the introduction of the new system

Residents of Astrakhan surveyed by "Caucasian Knot" note that the situation with gasoline remains tense.

Andrey noted that there are still queues in the city, where people spend 4-8 hours.

Vladimir noted that diesel and fuel oil are fully available, but there are queues for gasoline. "Today, when I was driving, I saw a queue about 3-4 kilometers long," he said.

Vladimir himself, initially trying to find gasoline through the "Benzin.net" website, due to the gasoline shortage
preferred to use public transport. "It's been three days since I parked my car; it's easier for me to get around by bus," he stated.

Ruslan also noted that gasoline "appears a little but disappears quickly," but drivers do not have problems with fuel oil and diesel.

"Trucks are refueling calmly – both their own and others', from other regions," he stated.

Karim stated that the situation is "sad," "The queues at gas stations have increased threefold," he said.

Amandyn reported that despite the division of refueling opportunities by even and odd numbers, there are still large queues at gas stations in the city. "In the region, where private gas stations are, it's easier – 5-10
cars, but the prices are higher; the same A-95 gasoline is sold for 150 rubles," he emphasized.

According to Amandyn, the network gas stations of "Gazprom" and "Lukoil" are practically all operating, while some
private gas stations have closed. "Those that remain have set a limit of 50-60 liters. However, at network gas stations, it is even less – 30 liters at "Gazprom," 20 at "Lukoil." But some guys manage to fill up a full tank using payment through T-bank and Yandex applications,"

Alexander noted that there is "simply no gasoline." "Queues have become 3-4 kilometers long, and not everyone is refueled. Many arrive the night before, close their cars, putting them in line, and go to sleep," he noted.
At the same time, gasoline prices, according to him, have not increased.

As for the authorities' policy to resolve the crisis, the surveyed residents of Astrakhan have not yet felt any improvements. Vladimir noted that the situation remains unchanged.

Alexander critically assessed the actions of the authorities. "It has only gotten worse. Yes, instead of a thousand cars in line, there are 500, but the gas station, which operates from six in the morning to one in the afternoon, manages to refuel only a hundred of them, while the rest are told to come the day after tomorrow," he stated.

Only Amandyn believes that the queues have started to decrease after the decision to divide refueling by even and odd numbers.

In the press service of the governor's administration of the Astrakhan region, "Caucasian Knot" was informed that after regional authorities took measures to distribute refueling by numbers, "there are no queues that were there before.
"The queues themselves were caused by seasonal demand and excitement," the press service noted.

Social media users called the new system chaotic

In the Telegram channel "Actual Astrakhan," the question of how the new refueling system works garnered 143 comments by 15:44 Moscow time.

"The gas station operates by time; what is the point of dividing into even-odd if it closed at one o'clock in the afternoon and those who made it are lucky, and those who didn't, go home," Ferdyk was outraged.

"At Slavyanka, I just stood in line from the meat processing plant ring – 3 hours 40 minutes," wrote Roman. In another message, he clarified that he managed to refuel only 30 liters.

"It has gotten even worse; if they wanted a normal result, they should have kept all the gas stations, but they reduced them fivefold, of course, the queue has doubled," writes XXx.

"Cars are standing at Boevaya, the gas station is closed, and most cars have no people; is this how queues are now taken? Good idea," Igor was outraged.

Some users were outraged that many of those standing in line refuel 5, 10 liters. In their opinion, this only increases the queues.

"People are on edge; at any opportunity, they fill up to the top because they are simply not sure that this fuel will be delivered tomorrow," Maria replied.

"If fuel deliveries stop, what is the point of these 10 liters? Well, okay, an extra day you are driving. But a disruption can last a week. These 10 liters won't save you. It's just extra stress," Alexey replied.

He also suggested that local authorities organize at least minimal conveniences for those waiting in line.

"Administration, if you are reading, either organize it yourself or send entrepreneurs with portable toilets near the gas stations. Both profit and people will thank you," the user writes.

Alexander Stepanov