Faced with the fuel shortage, the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture ordered the requisition of several service stations for certain so-called priority professions, such as nursing and security personnel.
In Marseille, in the only service station that benefits from this measure, the news is welcomed with relief by the people concerned... but is sometimes misunderstood by others.
Leaning against a wall, in the gasoline-scented underground car park next to the Carrefour Bonneveine service station, Sabrina waits, arms folded.
For almost two hours now, the young woman has been watching, powerless, the ballet of cars passing before her eyes.
Her car is parked right behind her.
Sabrina is tense.
She has to go to work, before going as quickly as possible to her ailing grandmother's bedside.
But she can't.
It's 11 a.m. and his car is dry.
Sabrina therefore went to the nearest gas station, without expecting to experience this situation.
Indeed, Sabrina is a customer advisor in a downtown bank.
And, since this Thursday morning, only certain professional categories have the right to refuel at this service station in the 8th arrondissement.
This Wednesday evening, the Bouches-du-Rhône police headquarters announced that it had issued an order requisitioning certain service stations in the department "for the supply of priority services".
In the department, between 6 a.m. and noon, five Carrefour service stations and two Total stations are reserved for these professions, including this one, the only one in Marseille.
"I have to wait to get into the right box"
Sabrina has tried to convince the two police officers responsible for checking the trades of each motorist who comes to the pump.
“I told them that it came under the regional management of public finances, she explains.
The people who work there have no more interest in having gasoline than I do.
Exactly, they are executives.
But the police told me no.
Even if I find it normal that certain professions have priority access, I also find it a bit absurd.
Again, waiting to be considered, hoping I have some diesel left.
There would be people, I say nothing.
But there is no one there.
I have to wait for someone who fits the boxes to show up, before I get into the right box myself.
»
Behind her, the parade of cars is indeed disciplined, calm and scarce, a thousand leagues from the anarchic scenes which have been the daily lot of gas station attendants and other black gold diggers in recent days.
The two police officers dispatched for the occasion stop each car and ask motorists to provide proof of their profession.
Firefighters, nurses, but also customs officers, employees of telephone operators, railway workers or even funeral service agents, it is a funny inventory à la Prévert which is authorized to parade under the eyes of the forces. of the order.
With, often, at the end of the pump, a certain relief.
“As soon as I leave, I will be able to go back to work”
“I came here by chance, confesses Mickaël.
I am on reserve.
But as I work in research, I can stock up!
In his medical taxi, Charles breathes.
“It's simple: I haven't worked since Tuesday.
As soon as I leave, I will be able to go back to work.
“I learned about it on a WhatsApp group of liberal nurses, explains Yoann, liberal nurse.
The State should have done this long before, but as usual, they took time to react.
I'm half full, but I'm enjoying it.
Prevention is better than cure, as they say.
»
Like Yoann, some prefer to be far-sighted.
“Mister agent, I am a nurse and I have a can in the trunk for my husband, asks Céline.
Can I take some for him?
“Refusal of the police.
At the pump, Céline worries.
“Everyone is going to have a problem at some point.
Me, I'm going to have to give my car to my husband to move.
“Excuse me, my daughter's car, who is a nurse, is broken.
Can I fill it up?
asks a lady.
“It must be her who comes,” retorts a policeman.
“And I work in nursing homes, but I don't have a card”, worries a scooter driver… who will not be able to pass in this batch of privileged people.
"My wife can't even walk"
Taking advantage of a moment of hesitation and inattention by the security forces, Sabrina, who is back in her car, slips discreetly into the queue, behind the backs of the police, between two cars.
Once at the pump, the young woman, relieved, prefers to turn her back on the meter.
"I won half an hour," she smiles.
At this level, I can pay 3 euros per litre.
But I prefer not to watch.
It will hurt.
A few seconds pass.
She turns around and puts the pump down.
“All this waiting to give in the end 107 euros!
You realize ?
»
A “chance” that will not be given to everyone.
Behind, a couple of elderly people move without stopping towards the gas station.
A policeman stops them.
"The gas pump is reserved until noon for people with priority," he reminds them.
The driver, annoyed, holds up a disabled card.
"And that's not a priority?"
My wife can't even walk.
"It's a parking pass, sir," the policeman retorts.
We'll have to wait until noon.
Park with others to the side.
The end-of-requisition queue lengthens as the minutes go by.
11:50 a.m.
The police leave the scene.
In ten minutes, it's back to reality.
"Now there will be a fight," whispers a motorist, probably a medium in his spare time.
In a fraction of a second, the tranquility in the service station becomes a mirage again.
Anarchy reigns in the queue.
The cars face each other and some try to overtake their neighbours.
The queue is getting longer at breakneck speed, to the point of occupying a large part of the supermarket parking lot.
A bazaar that will last until the next day.
The service station is indeed requisitioned every morning until Saturday.
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