New York Town Considers Ordinance Requiring Free Air at Gas Stations

While a law already on the books mandates free air to customers only when they ask, this new measure would ensure that drivers know about the free air.

​HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. March 30, 2016; NACSonline asked, who knew air could cause such controversy. Drivers in Hempstead, N.Y., generally have to pay to inflate their tires at city service stations, but Town Supervisor Anthony Santino wants to change that, CBSNewYork reports.

“Motorists will get free air, not hot air in … Hempstead,” Santino said of his proposal to inform customers of their right to ask the station for free air. Santino referred to a law already in effect that forces gasoline stations to provide free air when customers ask for it.

However, the Gasoline Retailers Association opposes the legislation, with owners arguing that charging quarters for using the compressed air machines contributes to their upkeep. Some gasoline station owners have threatened a lawsuit if the bill passes.

Other area gasoline retailers have non-coin-operated compressed air machines to provide free air to customers already. “We are a hometown business and to thank the customers for their loyalty to me, I can at least provide them with free air,” said Rudy Massa with Gasoline Heaven. But he added that he said strongly disapproved of a free-air mandate.

For more on the pros and cons of offering air—free or otherwise—read “Up in the Air” from a recent issue of NACS Magazine.