ZDF Magazine Royale
“Poop a Euro”: Jan Böhmermann sheds light on gas station monopolist Tank & Rast
Tank & Rast has a monopoly in Germany, explains Jan Böhmermann in “ZDF Magazin Royale”
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German rest stops are known for a few things: bad food and expensive toilets are just two of them. In his show, Jan Böhmermann took a look at the company behind the majority of gas stations.
Germany is a transit country, emphasized Jan Böhmermann in his show “ZDF Magazin Royale”. From north to south, east to west – the motorways are full and are a must for many professional drivers. “German motorway service stations, the answer to the question: Can you go to the toilet anywhere more disgracefully than in a moving Flix bus? Yes,” the satirist jokes right at the beginning.
“ZDF Magazin Royale”: Jan Böhmermann takes on Tank & Rast
But why are the rest stops on German motorways actually so bad? And who is behind it? There is a simple answer to the second question. Because 412 of 442 rest stops belong to the monopolist Tank & Rast. “A real, real, real monopoly,” explains Böhmermann. The Bonn company has a market share of over 90 percent. “I immediately get a twinge in the liberal part of my body,” says Böhmermann.
Tank & Rast is the result of CDU politician Matthias Wissmann’s transport policy. “A messed up privatization that allows a system of greed,” “Böhmi” quotes one star-Article from 2019. In 1998, German rest stops were privatized; previously they belonged to the federal government, which sold them for 1.2 billion DM. The independent companies would set their own prices. But there is no longer any trace of competition on German motorways. Because Tank & Rast is almost alone. The company includes, among others, the well-known brands Serways and Sanifair.
Sanifair: One euro for going to the toilet
The latter now charges one euro to be allowed to use the toilets. And that after the company had originally contractually guaranteed that free toilet use would be possible. “KackenEinEuro” – Böhmermann’s hashtag of the week – is the order of the day at Sanifair locations. When asked by the ZDF program, Tank & Rast defended itself, emphasizing that people can also visit somewhat remote truck stops and are therefore not tied to their gas stations. In fact, the company has been trying to take over these truck stops for some time.
And in the future everyone will drive electrically, explains Böhmermann. Even then the company should gain power. It is said to have been commissioned to expand charging stations without competition. The consequences of the monopoly particularly affect those who have to drive for work. This is also shown by reactions to Böhmermann’s broadcast. “I’m a truck driver and have been watching this for 18 years. Prices are rising more and more, but instead of people getting upset or boycotting, people continue to shop diligently. During the holiday season, you see families filling up their cars first “Even though it’s 20-30 cents cheaper next to the motorway,” a viewer commented on YouTube. “Tank & Rast should actually be broken up by the cartel office and Sanifair should be shut down,” complains a viewer on X, formerly Twitter.
Böhmermann also turns to the cartel office at the end of his broadcast. “You can still dream,” he concludes.
source: ZDF Magazine Royale
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