To the Editor:

Have you ever noticed that the Mobil and Wheels Citgo gas stations on Church Hill Road always post the same prices for gas and diesel, and that their prices always change on the same day and always by the same amount?

I have, and once asked two clerks at one of the stations why that was so. One quickly said it was because the gas was the same. Really?

Actually, Mobil says its “Synergy” gas contains a “proprietary additive,” and Citgo says that its “Triclean” gas is “custom-blended” and “available only at . . . Citgo.” The other clerk gave me a knowing smile.

Now I don’t think we should jump to the conclusion that the owners of these two gas stations are engaging in collusion and price fixing. I happen to think their pricing policy is intended to provide the public with certain, albeit underappreciated, social benefits, and they have been consistently following this pricing policy and providing these benefits for years.

What social benefits?

For one thing, having the same price for fuel means that motorists on Church Hill Road never have to consider making a potentially fatal left turn across oncoming traffic to get to the station on the other side charging a penny less.

The station on their side always has the lowest price. I think that clearly serves an important public safety function and helps lighten the load on the police and EMS, don’t you?

For another, motorists can always count on the prices at these stations being the same. This simplifies their choice of which station to patronize by eliminating the need to choose at all. This saves time and effort, making gassing up easy and convenient.

Pricing that promotes safety and convenience is especially important to motorists on I-84 who get off the highway to gas up. Many of those travelers are unfamiliar with Church Hill Road and I’m sure are even more relieved than locals to see the same price for fuel on both sides of the road.

I’m proud these local businesses also have the safety and convenience of travelers in mind. In another town competing gas stations near a major interstate highway might take advantage of travelers by fixing their prices merely to maximize profit.

Not here, though. It really is nicer in Newtown.

If you support the laudable social goals of the owners of these two gas stations, be sure to patronize one of them. It doesn’t matter which one. And while you’re there, seek out the owner, shake his hand and give him the recognition he deserves for his willingness to look past his own narrow self-interest to benefit the public.

As for me, I don’t mind driving a little farther to buy gas at a lower price, even if it means turning left across oncoming traffic. Besides, I’m probably going that way anyway.

Glen Swanson

Sandy Hook