ORLANDO, Fla. — Gas stations across Orlando are now being required to display their prices on signs that drivers can see clearly. But, there are two stations near Orlando International Airport with sky-high gas prices that are still not complying with the new rules.
Starting Thursday, those two Orlando gas stations will be racking up a $250 a day tab from the city until they put up visible signs of the stations' gas prices, which are now required by a city ordinance.
"Absolutely ridiculous. $2 a gallon more than what I pay at home," said tourist, Troy Curlee.
The Sun Gas station and its neighbor, Suncoast Energy, on Semoran Boulevard are just steps from the Orlando International Airport.
WFTV asked a spokesperson for the Sun Gas station why they weren't in compliance with the new city ordinance.
"You don't like the publicity here?" WFTV reporter Steve Barrett asked the spokeswoman.
"I don't want the cameras or the recording," she said.
"Why won't you just talk to us about why you won't put the price up there? You won't just explain to us why you won't post the price for customers to see? Is that something you're embarrassed about?" Barrett asked.
The spokeswoman declined to answer as she ducked into an back office behind the gas station with a Bentley parked out front.
The stations inspired a city ordinance that now requires all gas stations to clearly display their prices.
"The consumer has the reasonable expectation to know what the price is before they even pull off the side of the road. That's what the mayor and city council are after and we don't have it yet," said Mike Rhodes, with the City of Orlando.
At both the Sun Gas station and Suncoast Energy, gas prices are close to $6 a gallon. But drivers passing by would never know it because they aren't displayed like other stations.
"These guys are bandits. They should be wearing ski masks," said driver Gary Lucier.
The stations have been fighting the new rule, but starting Thursday they must display the prices or get fined $250 a day, until they are in compliance.
Sun Gas does have a sign, but it's down the road, nowhere near the pumps.
WFTV
