(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec) will introduce a more flexible option of refuelling for all motorists in the island nation this month.

In an introductory move, the company has been testing two self-service refuelling bays with some consumers since March.

Seypec’s Commercial Manager Sarah Romain told SNA that the trial period is aimed at fine-tuning and monitoring the whole system before introducing the service to the general public.

According to Romain the new option being proposed is receiving positive feedback but as is the case with most new concept there are some challenges the company is working to resolve.

Consumers piloting the system can fill up their own tanks from two helix dispensers distributing gasoil and motor gasoline. The dispensers have been installed at the main petrol station on the outskirts of the Seychelles’ capital, Victoria.

Consumers piloting the system can fill up their own tanks from two helix dispensers distributing gasoil and motor gasoline. (Daniel Laurence, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

Seypec has sourced the system from an American company that specializes in unattended payment technology that makes filling fuel easier for consumers -- Wayne Fuelling Systems.

Romain says that the new self-service bays, once fully operational, will enable motorists to have round the clock access to fuel their transport.“It will surely help during peak demands. This service pays in terms of expediency, ease of use, and the freedom to choose the time and place to fuel your tank,” she said, adding that there has been a repetitive call for this service given the hustle and bustle of the modern day commuter.

Private motorists and businesses will have to apply for a card to be able to use the service. This will be issued for free and consumers will only pay for their cards to be loaded with a minimum value of around $36 up to $1,460 (500 to 20,000 Seychelles rupees).

“At any time during the opening hours of the fuel station, customers will be able to top up their cards with the help of an operator using a small handheld machine. The card is for free and there is no limit on the number of cards that can be given to a single consumer,” Romain explained.

One of the motorists Laurent Moumou suggested that “The company can push for the use of credit cards and bank notes if possible that could be inserted into the machine, instead of rechargeable cards." (Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

SNA sought the views of some motorists on the upcoming service.

Laurent Moumou said that it is a good initiative, while he had some suggestions.

“The company can push for the use of credit cards and bank notes if possible that could be inserted into the machine, instead of rechargeable cards,” Moumou told SNA.

Moumou also suggested that there should be a pin code system or other security measure that will enable consumers to recover their money in case the card is stolen.

For taxi operator Daniel Bacus, the self-service options will facilitate his work, especially at night when all fuel stations are closed.

Seypec is planning to make the service available to all on May 15. It is envisioned this will be expanded to the other refuelling stations on Mahé as well as on Praslin and La Digue in the future.