Residents of Sochi spoke about the situation with fuel sales

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In recent days, the situation in Sochi regarding gasoline supply shows signs of stabilization compared to the middle of the month. According to local residents, it is necessary to know where and when fuel will be delivered. Amidst the disruptions, tourists are reaching Sochi by train or by plane through Sukhum.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", as of August 25, gasoline of the AI-95 grade was absent at more than half of the gas stations in the Rostov region and in five major cities of the Krasnodar region.

According to the official Telegram channel of the Sochi administration, there are 58 gas stations operating in the resort area. From August 19 to 21, between 52 and 53 stations were operational. However, there were significant fluctuations in the availability of popular AI-95 gasoline until August 24. By the morning of August 25, the number of consistently operating gas stations was 52, with a clear point distribution of gasoline across urban districts and gas stations servicing only special transport.

The city authorities state that queues at gas stations are gradually being eliminated. A support service has been organized for car owners: the official channel of the administration on Telegram, which informs about the operation of hotlines at the numbers 8(862) 296-59-90 and +7 (988) 416-13-14 (calls only), as well as a chatbot, the "Yandex Refueling" service, and mobile applications of network companies ("Rosneft", "Lukoil", "Gazpromneft").

Residents of Sochi spoke about the situation with fuel

A correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" spoke on August 25 with residents from different districts of Sochi, as well as tourists. They noted the difference in the situation across various areas of the city: the most comfortable situation with fuel sales has developed in Sirius and Adler, while in Khosta and Lazarevskoye, delays and long waits persist. Local residents believe this is due to the uneven supply of gasoline, which is delivered in point shipments, while the southern transport hubs of the city are prioritized. The survey is not representative and reflects only the private opinions of those interviewed.

After the total absence of gasoline and queues for what was being released drop by drop, the queues began to disappear, and gasoline appeared

35-year-old entrepreneur Rimma Kalinina from Sirius reported that the situation with fuel has changed "for the better" in the last three days. "After the total absence of gasoline and queues for what was being released drop by drop, the queues began to disappear, and gasoline appeared. Today (August 25), I refueled at "Rosneft" on Olympic Avenue without any problems in 5 minutes, filling 30 liters," she said.

32-year-old teacher Elena from Adler district admitted that "it seems to have become easier." "But, in my opinion, we have just learned to navigate and hunt for gasoline more effectively. We don’t stand in line when it’s not available, but we already know approximately when it will be delivered. I refueled across from the train station in Adler in 15 minutes, they gave me 40 liters without any issues," noted Elena.

40-year-old taxi driver Oleg Snegirev from Krasnaya Polyana shared his experience. "Gasoline has appeared in Krasnaya Polyana as well. I haven’t seen queues for three days. Today (August 25), I refueled calmly at a gas station on the way to Krasnaya Polyana, not far from the airport," he said.

We no longer have such crazy queues at gas stations as three days ago, but you still need to wait an hour or two

"We no longer have such crazy queues at gas stations as three days ago, but you still need to wait an hour or two. Speculators are selling gasoline for 350 rubles per liter, offering cans of 20-40 liters. At gas stations, gasoline is 73 rubles with kopecks, I’m not going to overpay five times, I’d rather take the bus. But some people buy it, especially drivers with license plates from other regions," shared observations by 28-year-old housewife from Khosta district Elena Vershinina.

60-year-old welder from the Central district of Sochi Viktor Shavronsky admitted that he decided not to refuel in advance. "I have low gasoline consumption, I drive little - to the hospital or to the market. I no longer see crazy queues at gas stations, but not all gas stations in the center are working, some on Kurortny Avenue are closed. Others have dozens of cars waiting. I wanted to refuel in advance, but decided to postpone," Viktor reported.

70-year-old pensioners from Lazarevsky district Marina and Leonid Sinelnikov lamented that they have to save gasoline. "We save gasoline, we only go to the dacha on weekends. In Lazarevskoye, one of the two gas stations has no gasoline at all - only gas, and at "Rosneft" there is gasoline, but you have to wait 2-2.5 hours. The situation here has hardly changed," Viktor said.

At gas stations on the way to Sochi, they release an average of 30 liters per car

39-year-old driver Konstantin arrived on a business trip from Krasnodar. "At gas stations on the way to Sochi, they release an average of 30 liters per car. In Sochi itself, I refueled in the Central district in Mamaika, the queues move faster. The quality of the fuel is normal, I didn’t notice any difference. However, on the night of August 24, it was very restless in Adler due to the operation of air defense. There are different opinions about the supplies, whether imports are coming by sea or if tankers with reserves are being transferred between regions where people are particularly outraged," he shared.

The fuel crisis has changed tourist behavior

Press secretary of the Association of Hoteliers AMOS Olga Emelyanova told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that "expert studies were conducted on changes in the behavior of vacationers during the period of 'special circumstances' and the impact of these circumstances on the resort season." She added that "hoteliers note changes in the behavior of vacationers."

The Association of Hoteliers AMOC published an article on its website by the vice president of the association, general director of the "Pink Elephant" network Alexan Mkrtchyan, which states that as of early August, Sochi received more than four million tourists, and the occupancy of accommodation facilities is about 80%. At the same time, the depth of sales has decreased to two to three weeks, and hoteliers have to adjust prices. The article particularly notes that the choice of transport by tourists has changed. They are increasingly buying train tickets, and this applies not only to Muscovites but also, for example, to residents of nearby major cities like Krasnodar or Rostov-on-Don, "who could previously reach Sochi by car."

Mkrtchyan places fuel problems first, the cost of recreation second, transport logistics third, and safety fourth. "I have been working in tourism for 36 years and could never have imagined that people from Krasnodar would be afraid to go to resorts because of fuel problems," he added.

He also noted that a new trend has emerged this season - trips through Sukhum. Tourists from Moscow and St. Petersburg fly there and then travel to Sochi.

According to the chairman of the expert council of AMOS Dmitry Bogdanov, the overall tourist flow this year is 7-12% lower than last year’s figures. "For the velvet season, bookings are going quite well. The refusal of previously booked trips is minimal. Together with the price reduction, the economic results for the year as a whole will be weaker than last year’s, but our task is to ensure the comfort and safety of guests," Bogdanov stated, whose words are quoted in the article.

To compensate for the drop in demand, hoteliers had to lower accommodation prices. Four and five-star hotels reduced rates by up to 30%, while small accommodation facilities offered discounts of 15-20%.

Remember, against the backdrop of drone attacks on oil refineries, including those located in southern Russia, a fuel crisis has arisen. The fuel problem has caused a sharp increase in demand for the installation of gas cylinder equipment. In auto services, customer queues have stretched for several months ahead, and the cost of equipment has nearly doubled.