HOUSTON — With the pandemic easing, more people are hitting the roads every day. However, drivers may soon discover that gasoline is harder to find.
David Price with United Petroleum Transport said it is not because there is a lack of gasoline supply, rather, a lack of fuel tanker drivers to deliver gas to gas stations.
“I think it’s probably going to get worse before it gets better,” Price said. “We need dedicated folks to join us to keep America moving forward.”
As the pandemic raged, people stopped driving. Price says supply for gas went down, and many tanker truck drivers retired or starting driving for other industries like Amazon.
But now demand for gasoline has jumped, and companies like United Petroleum can’t deliver gas fast enough.
Joshua Zuber, spokesperson for AAA, say so far, Las Vegas and parts of Arkansas have been reporting the problem.
“Deliveries have been delayed in a few markets, causing select stations to see low to no fuel in some pumps for one, maybe two days,” Zuber said.
However, Price says this will likely happen all over.
“We are all struggling,” Price said.
The National Tank Truck Carriers trade group says currently 25 percent of tanker trucks nationwide don’t have drivers. They need qualified employees to apply fast. The pay is good; up to around $100,000 a year.
According to Price, most tanker fuel drivers are able to work locally, meaning they get to sleep home every night, unlike many traditional trucking careers.
Tanker truck drivers require additional certifications because of the dangers of the job. For more information about the industry, click here.
Meanwhile, Zuber with AAA says there is no need to panic buy gas but advises drivers keep a healthy supply in the tank.