According to web.de, Sanifair claims the move is required to maintain standards of cleanliness, service and comfort in the long term amid the sharp rise in the cost of energy, labour and products. The company stresses it is has been operating its services at break-even for some time.
Sanifair, a subsidiary of the Tank & Rast Group, which controls most of the petrol stations and service areas on Germany’s motorways, has nonetheless changed its voucher system to try and alleviate the impact of the higher toilet charge.
The voucher system, introduced in 2011, sees those who pay 70 cents to use Sanifair’s toilets handed a 50 cents discount voucher in return. This can then be used in the fuel station shop, though only one purchase can be made per voucher.
Under the new plans, users will receive a full €1 discount when they pay the €1 fee to use the toilets.
The changes thus benefit customers who would typically spend money at the fuel station anyway. However, those who only need to relieve themselves and don’t wish to pay over the odds for items at the shop, will of course lose out.
Photo: 4028mdk09, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
