A Sign of the Times for Gas Stations

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey is one step closer to making things clear for motorists -- the price of gas. A bill was recently approved by a Senate committee that would require gas stations to post both credit and cash prices, NJ.com reported.

"This bill is about eliminating some of the sticker shock that people face when paying with a credit card at the pump," Senator Shirley Turner (D-Mercer), who sponsored the bill told the news outlet. "It’s unfair to hit drivers with an added cost for credit purchases when they aren’t even aware of the cost disparity until they receive the receipt."

Stipulations of the bill would mandate signs be placed on gas station premises, showing the price per gallon of paying with cash and the price per gallon if motorists pay with their credit cards. Gas stations that violate the new rules would face $1,500 for the first offense and up to a $3,000 fine for the second and any others, the Web site noted.

The bill, cleared by the Senate Transportation committee and heading to the full Senate, would take effect four months after enactment.