If you are visiting Europe for the first time, and The Netherlands in particular, you will quite likely be taken aback at the compact sizes of many things. Houses are small, streets are smaller, shops can be tiny, and it’s quickly clear: space is at a premium. Petrol Stations (Gas stations) come in “regular” sized versions but also as miniature versions just like this one:
(photo © kiwidutch)
Throughout The Netherlands and indeed, many large European cities you will also find tiny independent petrol stations called “Witte pomps”. (“white pumps”) These are bowsers that are quite literally set up on the curbside in regular surburban streets, under them are petrol tanks set deep below the pavement. The top sections, comprising the bowsers and pumps are wheeled out in the morning (or sometimes on designated days of the week), everything is hooked up to the tank below and hey presto you have an operational petrol station on the street in less than half an hour.
Tanking your car at one of these pavement pumps is as easy (or as difficult) as ducking in from the roadside traffic and filling up as per as any regular garage. With lower overheads and without being attached to any particular brand name these stations are usually considerably cheaper than their mainstream counterparts too. At night the pumps at the top are removed, wheeled away and put ” to bed” in storage nearby and the underground tanks are sealed.
Not much space? No problem ! Just use what you have as efficiently as you can !
