How Do Westfield Residents Feel About Pumping Their Own Gas?

WESTFIELD, NJ — One of the perks of living in New Jersey over the past 73 years has been full-service gas stations, sparing residents from pumping their own gas.

But a new state bill would allow self-service options at gas stations throughout the Garden State, and Westfield residents feel pretty mixed about this prospect.

Designed to help alleviate staffing shortages at pump stations, the bill — dubbed The Motorist Fueling Choice and Convenience Act — would allow gas stations the choice of offering self-serve pumps while requiring they still have at least four dispensers for full service.

Patch asked Westfield readers how the felt about the new bill and whether they would opt for pumping their own gas if they had the choice.

Here are some of their responses:

• "I could care less. We have bigger problems in this state than whether we pump our own gas."
• "NO - gas isn't more expensive in Jersey and we keep people employed!"
• "Spent most of my life doing it myself in the U.K. so all fine with me!"
• "Do it all the time although I wouldn’t want to do it on a cold day."
• "People heads up!!! It will not change the price plus it will only raise unemployment."
• "Keep them pumping for you! I HATE pumping my own gas, especially when it’s 10 degrees out!"
• "Can’t afford gas no matter who pumps it!"
• "Gas used to be cheaper in NJ than in NYS but it is not so any longer. Pump your own...it is unfair to expose the gas station attendants to gas fumes unnecessarily."
  
• "I don't want to touch the money I get back for change nevermind touch the pump."
• "Hate it. What about safety? Aren’t you setting yourself up for robbery, car theft or hijacking. Then there’s the weather element. No, no, no…"
• "Only if the prices will drop."
• "Why break something that works. This move would cost jobs...pumping gas is a good entry level/part time job."

In an interview with Patch, Gov. Phil Murphy said drivers would still have a choice to get full service at the pump if they wanted to. Murphy also argued that the new bill could lower gas prices, which is something many Westfield readers expressed concerns about.

"Simply put, this bill will provide choice, convenience, and cost-savings to New Jersey drivers," Murphy said. "By providing a hybrid model, we can give consumers the option to do what they prefer when it comes to filling their gas tanks, while also giving them the opportunity to save money."

Read more: NJ Self-Serve Gas Bill Is About Choice, Assemblymember Says

According to AAA, the average gas price in NJ is $4.27, which is higher than the national average of $4.17, as of Tuesday.

How do you feel about the bill? Will you choose to pump your own gas given the option? Comment your thoughts down below or join the conversation on Westfield Patch.

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.

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