Gas coupon sales in U.K. to end June 1

[unhappycamper]

Gas coupon sales in U.K. to end June 1
By Charlie Reed, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, May 25, 2008

RAF MILDENHALL, England — Military motorists here won’t be able to purchase new coupons to be used for tax-free gas off base as the Air Force prepares to replace its paper gas coupons with an electronic card-based system, 3rd Air Force officials announced Friday.

Coupons that already have been purchased can be used until June 30, though it is unclear when the new fuel cards will be issued, said Maj. John Haynes, 3rd Air Force spokesman.

Until the Air Force can finalize details with the British government on exactly how the new program will work, drivers will be able to purchase tax-free gas only at Army and Air Force Exchange Service pumps.

"This office is in active discussions with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to come to an agreement regarding an updated program," Maj. Gen. Jack Egginton, 3rd Air Force vice commander, said in a written statement. "We will provide more details once an agreement is met, hopefully allowing implementation during the upcoming summer."

Though the German government recently required the military to implement a similar fuel card system in that country, the move in England is unrelated.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55088