Fury as supermarket petrol stations make key change to payment policy
Supermarket petrol stations across the UK are ditching cash payments in exchange for card-only services in a blow to road users.
Drivers may be shocked to realise that some UK petrol stations are no longer accepting cash payments in a radical rule change for 2024.
Earlier this year, Asda confirmed a whopping 82 petrol stations around the UK would go cashless this year.
The retailer previously got rid of manned tills at 14 petrol stations last December but plans to continue the move at another 68 locations this year.
It means petrol and diesel motorists will be unable to pay for their fuel using notes and coins as cards become the only way to top-up a vehicle at certain locations.
The move comes after Asda claimed almost all of their payments came from card or contactless payments and confirmed no job losses would arise as a result of the changes.
An Asda spokesperson previously said: "As more than 90 percent of all payments on our Superstore forecourts are made via card or a contactless device, the colleagues who worked on these sites are moving into the store so they can better serve our customers.
"These conversions began in December and we expect to complete the changeover later in 2024.”
They warned losing face-to-face contact would be a “detriment to the service” and make things “much harder” for many individuals.
However, paying cashless is unpopular among certain road users due to the rules around topping up.
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Firms have to reserve around £100 - £120 on a customers card to verify a contactless payment which ensures motorists don't overfill their car and then can’t pay for their fuel.
This is fine for motorists who have enough disposable income in their accounts but cash-strapped individuals could be more affected.
It has led to many road users calling for a boycott of stations which do not offer cash payments to fill up their vehicles.
One angry driver said: “To be honest, I personally feel that people need to use cash as much as they can.
"If you go to the garage to get £60 fuel, take it out of bank machines to pay the cashier.”
Another remarked: “Come on Asda. Don't go with the status quo. You may lose custom because we choose to stand for freedom of choice. Not control.”
The decision has also been questioned by officials with Swindon councillors Daniel Adams and Jake Chandler recently penning an open letter calling out the changes.
He explained: “Whilst we recognise the need for automation and how many customers may indeed prefer this, there will always be a need in our opinion for there to be a person in the loop for those who are unable or who are genuinely worried about the prospect of a fully automated forecourt.”
