Denpasar. Long queues continued at fuel stations across Bali on Saturday as an odd-even license plate system and limits on fuel purchases failed to ease shortages that have disrupted daily activities for about a week.

Motorcycles and cars crowded several gas stations in Denpasar on Saturday, with some outlets reportedly running out of fuel by midday. The restrictions, which took effect on Saturday and are scheduled to run through Monday, have also caused confusion among motorists, some of whom said they were unaware of the new rules.

Under the policy, vehicles with odd-numbered license plates can buy fuel on Saturday, with the system determining access on subsequent days. The Bali provincial administration and state-owned fuel distributor Pertamina Patra Niaga have also capped purchases at 20 liters per car and 3 liters per motorcycle.

The limits will remain in place until fuel supplies return to normal, following instructions from Bali Governor I Wayan Koster in a letter issued by the provincial administration.

Ahad Rahedi, communications and corporate social responsibility manager for Pertamina Patra Niaga's East Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara regional operations, said the odd-even system was introduced alongside purchase limits to manage demand and reduce queues.

Pertamina has added 16 fuel tankers to speed up deliveries to gas stations across Bali. Meanwhile, 100 military and police personnel have been deployed to help relieve staffing pressure at stations operating around the clock.

Bali Police are also assisting with fuel distribution from storage terminals to gas stations.

Despite the measures, motorists continued to report difficulties obtaining fuel.

Wayan Ardi, a motorcyclist with an even-numbered license plate, said he had joined a queue because he had run out of petrol. He said he had only just learned about the odd-even rule.

“The shortages over the past week have made life very difficult. I can't go to work, and I can't return to my hometown because of the lack of fuel,” he said. “I only just found out about the odd-even system. The important thing is to get fuel so I can go home.”

Kadek Bogel, a car driver with an odd-numbered plate, said the system appeared to have shortened queues somewhat compared with previous days. However, he said the restrictions also created problems for residents whose vehicles were not eligible to refuel on a given day.

“The odd-even system has had some effect on the queues, which are not as bad as they were in previous days,” he said. “But people are confused, especially those with even-numbered plates whose vehicles have run out of fuel. I think fuel sales should return to normal so everyone can get what they need.”

Queues remained visible at gas stations in Denpasar and other parts of Bali as of Saturday midday, indicating that the measures had yet to fully resolve residents' difficulties in securing fuel.

Add as a preferred source on Google +