Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter
Motorists stand in a line of traffic at this Shell gas station on Waterloo Road, St. Andrew, on Wednesday to buy gas after hearing of the possible closure of service stations. The closure was subsequently called off by the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association. - CARLINGTON WILMOT/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
LEVAR MCLEOD of McLeod's Total filling station near National Heroes Circle did not have an easy day Wednesday with the prospect of an islandwide petrol station 'strike'.
Reputed to have the cheapest gas in Kingston, the establish-ment found itself overrun with customers desperate for gas, their cars snaking back down
to Duke Street, downtown Kingston.
Unleaded 87 was $46.25 per litre, 90 for $50.40 and diesel for $49.90. The can of Red Bull Energy drink in Mr. McLeod's hand looked well-needed.
When the customers became unruly at 4:00 p.m. he ordered the pumps shut and told customers, The Gleaner included, that gas had run out. They remained shut until after the police arrived to restore order just after 5:00 p.m.
"Hmm ... it's been rough," Mr. McLeod admitted later in the evening. "We opened up later (5:30 p.m.), but we only had gas for another 20 minutes."
He said, however, that the security forces made a difference in restoring order with three policemen from Fletcher's Land Police Station guarding the premises.
"We've never seen a rush like this before," said a calm Constable Steve Bowen.
Three teachers identifying themselves as coming from a 'nearby prominent high school' were less happy.
"People are just cutting in, just general Jamaican behaviour," one of them said.
"We've been here for two hours and I have to go back to Spanish Town!" another exclaimed in frustration.
"And me to St. Thomas," added the third.
At 5:45 p.m. Mr. McLeod said customers were beginning to leave the station, located just 100 metres from The Gleaner's North Street offices. "Can we get gas later?" tried the reporter looking for an admission of hidden gas reserves.
"No."
