It sounds like, from listening to the above, that there is already some sort of ration card in place, assuming that that's what the Russian woman speaking is complaining about when she's talking about gas ration cards. Sounds like there's some quantity of fuel that can be sold without rationing, and at that limit, one can only get fuel with a ration card. It sounds like she doesn't have a gas ration card at all.

But I haven't read any current articles on the situation, so I don't know what the state of affairs is, or in what part of Russia this is.

If my understanding is correct, though, it sounds like one is still waiting through a line, and only then getting to try to use the card. It's not implemented in such a way as to avoid the queue.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

My guess is those are fleet cards, and yes if they limit sales without them it is rationing. Fleet cards world wide are normally for companies and it makes sense they would do rationing this way as their economy is already fucked enough (for them, I am down for more fucking) and this is the "softest" way to do a rationing without saying they are doing it.

[–] tal@lemmy.today 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

So assuming that that's what's going on...these fleet cards would be used by fleet operators? Like...the Russian equivalent of, I guess, FedEx or trucking companies or taxi companies would basically be getting priority for available fuel?

EDIT: In support of your theory:

https://united24media.com/world/gasoline-disappears-from-all-filling-stations-in-russias-novorossiysk-amid-fuel-shortages-20417

In response to the crisis, the city administration launched an online map allowing residents to monitor fuel availability at local filling stations in real time. As of July 3, every station listed on the map had run out of gasoline, with only diesel fuel remaining in stock.

Despite the shortages for the general public, motorists with corporate fuel cards issued by employers are still able to refuel.

[–] M0oP0o@mander.xyz 2 points 1 day ago

Almost any business can set up a fleet card, its not just big players. But the big companies tend to be the main users.

This is just a way to ration but not call it that. And knowing russians they are going to cheat the everliving fuck out of this.