Self-service now at select Adnoc stations
abu dhabi — Adnoc fuel stations have started the trial run of selfservice options at select outlets on Thursday.
This will enable motorists get familiar with the new service, which is coming soon at all Adnoc fuel stations.
‘Premium’ and ‘self-serve’ banners have been erected at various Adnoc stations to inform customers about the new services.
“The new service is being rolled out in Abu Dhabi first, with customers invited to try the premium service and self-serve option during a free trial period before a small fee is introduced for the premium service,” said Adnoc Distribution in a statement issued on Thursday.
Early this month, Adnoc Distribution announced that from midApril, customers at service stations in Abu Dhabi will have the choice of a new premium service for a small fee, or a self-serve option.
The premium and self-serve options will then be rolled out to other stations in the UAE throughout 2018. The premium charges have not been implemented and the fee is yet to be announced, but officials said it will be introduced soon.
Khaleej Times visited some of the Adnoc stations on Thursday and found out that during the trial run, customers were being taught by attendants on the selfservice system, including how to fill the fuel tank and the use the card payment machines at the stations.
“This is really a good service and it will reduce the time spent in queues waiting for pump attendants,” said Fayaz Hussein, 29, a Pakistani motorist who was at an Adnoc station in Al Manasir.
“It’s my first time that I am using the self-service option to fill my car but I have found the sys- tem easy to use.”
An Indian motorist, Abdul Rahman, said: “The self service system is a new experience for me but I like it.”
“It allows me move out of the car and fill the petrol myself. No need for waiting for attendants to first serve other customers before coming to you.”
Cameroonian taxi driver Paul Aful, 30, said he’s already used the self-service system and has been doing it to fill his car on some occasions.
“I like the self service system and I have been doing it. It’s easy and saves time,” said Aful.
“But I think the system may not be easy for some lazy drivers who don’t want to leave their cars and they will end up going in for the premium option.”
For 26-year-old Imran Ahmed, a Pakistani motorist, the self-service system is hard for him.
“I am not familiar with moving out of the car and serve myself. I will find the self service system hard to use,” said Ahmed.
“Also, I don’t think it will reduce the queues at the fuel stations because some drivers will spend a lot of time trying to learn filling their car and then paying with cards because they are not familiar with the system.”
Sunil Kumar, an Indian interior designer, said: “This is my first time to fill my car and I have found it difficult.”
“I don’t think the self-service system will be easy for many people. And given the hot weather, those with money will opt for the premium service.”
John Carey, Deputy CEO at Adnoc Distribution, earlier said the new self-service option was aimed at making the UAE’s fuel company a world-class retailer by providing full choices to customers.
“We are introducing this service because we want to be a world-class retailer,” he told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of Adnoc’s annual general meeting early this month.
“If we compare ourselves, world-retailing is about giving customers more choices. We don’t give those choices to our customers today. We don’t allow our customers to pick and choose and this is why we are introducing the self-service option.”
Carey said: “In our self-service option, it gives you a choice of getting in and going out quickly. In terms of the premium service, the objective is to increase speed and reduce on the time people spend waiting around at the filling station, improve the quality of service and also link it to the loyalty so that when we get to know our customers better, we can interact with them and offer them more services.”
This is really a good service and it will reduce the time spent in queues waiting for pump attendants.” Fayaz Hussein, Pakistani motorist
I think the system may not be easy for some lazy drivers who don’t want to leave their cars.” Paul Aful, Cameroonian taxi driver
I am not familiar with moving out of the car and serve myself. I will find the self service system hard.” Imran Ahmed, Pakistani motorist
I don’t think the system will be easy. Given the hot weather, those with money will opt for premium service.” Sunil Kumar, Indian interior designer