THE sale of premium unleaded gasoline appeared to have slumped at service stations in San Fernando yesterday.

Pump attendants said some customers were switching to the cheaper super unleaded gas, while others reluctantly paid the increased price for premium gas.

Minister of Finance Larry Howai announced in his first budget presentation on Monday that the environmentally-friendly premium gasoline would increase $1.75 as of yesterday, from $4 to $5.75 per litre.

An employee at C Nobbee Service Station, Pointe-a-Pierre Road, San Fernando said: "Sale is very slow today, since the increase in price. But when people heard about the increase yesterday (Monday) they came and filled up, so we will have to wait and see."

The employee said the first sale of premium gas came two hours after the service station was opened yesterday.

At La Carib Service Station, Carib Street, San Fernando, customers were switching to super gasoline.

"The sale of premium gas is really bad today. People are looking at the cost now, so they are asking for super instead," an attendant said.

Motorist Clarence Joseph said "the price has increased, but I will have to pay if I want to continue driving a working vehicle".

He added: "I have to look at how it will affect my car. The last owner used premium gas and I continued. I will have to pay the price."

Joseph drives a Nissan AD wagon.

Another driver, Marlon Johnson, said he too will continue to buy premium gas.

"I drive a normal Toyota Corolla car but my mechanic advised that I use premium gas, so I will have to pay the increased price," he said.