Ride-hailing driver turns off app due to fuel shortage. — Photo tuoitre.vn

HCM CITY — Many gas stations in HCM City are still facing shortages of fuel, making it difficult for ride-hailing drivers to carry out their services.

Many drivers of Grab, Be, Gojek are afraid of taking intercity trips.

Nguyễn Cành, a driver, complained that he wanted to fill up his gas tank, but when he got to the gas station, the number of people waiting was too crowded, and he had to wait for a long time for his turn.

In addition, staff at gas stations are only allowed to sell VNĐ200,000 of fuel for four-wheeled vehicles and VNĐ50,000 of fuel for motorbikes.

According to Cành, with cars, especially manual transmission cars, VNĐ200,000 of fuel is not enough.

Facing this difficult situation when buying fuel, which was shared widely on social networks, many app ride hailing drivers, including Cành, decided to turn off the app.

“Fuel is difficult to buy at this time, what can we do when we run out of gas halfway?” Cành said.

Representatives of ride-hailing apps said that although drivers reported difficulties buying fuel, the number of drivers who turned off the app still accounts for a small percentage.

About 121 gas stations in HCM City, or 20 per cent of the city's fuel retailers, were without fuel on Monday because wholesalers couldn't replenish their inventory on time.

Gas stations have complained about rising losses resulting from higher operating costs and no discounts from distributors, so the more they sell, the higher their losses.

Many of the stations without gas are located in suburban areas, including Bình Chánh District (8), Bình Tân District (15) and Thủ Đức City (21).

Most of the gas stations without any fuel in stock are moderate in size, the HCM City Market Surveillance Department said Monday. — VNS