Gas Rationing in NYC and Long Island Begins Friday
A temporary system has been announced to reduce the long lines at the pump in most areas near New York City as nor'easter dumps snow across the region.
A temporary gasoline-rationing system has been announced for both New York City and Long Island.
The rationing begins Friday morning and will allow people to only buy fuel on a certain day depending on the last digit of their license plate.
According to officials in New York City, Suffolk County and Nassau County, the new temporary system will go by vehicle license plates. People with odd-numbered license plates can buy fuel only on odd-numbered days, and people with even-numbered vehicles can buy fuel only on even-numbered days. Vehicles with licenses plates ending in a letter or other character can buy fuel on odd-numbered days.
Vehicles exempted from the rationing include: commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, buses and para-transit vehicles, medical doctor plates and vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
The temporary policy was enacted to reduce the excessive wait times that many people have experienced since Superstorm Sandy hit the east coast. There are still many gas stations recovering from loss of power and business.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg released a statement on the gas problem:
"Last week's storm hit the fuel network hard - and knocked out critical infrastructure needed to distribute gasoline. Even as the region's petroleum infrastructure slowly returns to normal, the gasoline supply remains a real problem for thousands of New York drivers. Earlier today, I signed an emergency order to alternate the days that drivers can purchase gas, which is the best way to cut down the lines and help customers buy gas faster."
The temporary system begins at 6 a.m. Friday in New York City and 5 a.m. on Long Island.
