Long line forms in Worcester for cut-rate gas

(Paul Kapteyn/Telegram & Gazette)

Sandra Fleuran of Worcester pointed out a driver who cut in front of her while she was waiting in a long line of cars on Pleasant Street to take advantage of the cheap gasoline. The perpetrator eventually pulled out of line.

By Casey Ramsdell, Globe Correspondent

As consumers continue to struggle with rising gas prices, a Worcester gas station and Digital Federal Credit Union teamed up today in a promotion that helped save local residents some cash at the pump. Beginning at 7 a.m., Pleasant and Park Gulf Station in Worcester offered gas at only $1.99 per gallon, about half the usual current price.

People began rolling into the station around 5 a.m., according to station manager Hassan Yatim. The line was cut off at 11:30 a.m. because it had become 2 to 3 miles long. The last car was filled up around 1:45 p.m.

“Everybody loves it. Somebody fills up today and its $60 [when] it would normally be $120,” said Yatim.

Yatim said that about 600 to 700 vehicles came to the station. More than just your typical vehicles came to save as well: two RVs and a boat were also filled up. But that wasn’t a problem, according to John LaHair, public relations manager at the credit union.

“If you drive it, we can finance it, so we can fill it,” said LaHair.

DCU is based in Marlborough and has two branches in Worcester. They decided to fund the special to promote their company and to give back to Worcester residents. They did a similar promotion two years ago.

“We wanted the opportunity to ease that pain at the pump that everyone is facing,” said LaHair.

The credit union sent out an announcement to credit union members who live in the area yesterday afternoon alerting them to the deal. The rest was just word of mouth, according to LaHair, who said that people came from all over Worcester County and the rest of the state.

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