Gas rations instituted in New York by Bloomberg, but you can still use your gas can
Odd or even? Did you bring your gas can? These are now important questions in New York and Long Island.
Gas shortages from Hurricane Sandy may have some residents feeling like it was 1973 again. David Falconer, Photographer
Anticipating that fuel shortages would continue to plague drivers, New York City and Long Island authorities announced gas-rationing systems starting on Friday to reduce long lines at stations that have infuriated motorists.
The decision to restrict gasoline sales was a departure for Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who had said last week that they anticipated the fuel shortage following Sandy would have abated by now. Shortages have become less of a problem in New Jersey and areas north of the city, officials said.
Bloomberg said at a Thursday news conference that it appears that the gas shortage will go on in the city for “possibly another couple weeks.”
“Drivers are still facing long lines. Frustrations are only growing,” he said.
“The best way to cut down the lines and help customers get gas faster, to help gas stations stay open longer and to reduce the potential for disorder is to alternate the days that drivers can purchase gas.”
Under rules in the city and Nassau and Suffolk counties, motorists with license plates ending in odd numbers or a letter or other character can buy gas or diesel on odd-numbered days. Those with plates ending in even numbers or the number zero can buy gas or diesel on even-numbered days.
The new rules are set to begin at 5 a.m. Friday on Long Island and one hour later in the city. Some will be exempt, including emergency vehicles, buses, para-transit vehicles, commercial vehicles, taxi cabs, licensed for-hire vehicles and cars with medical doctor license plates. The rules also don’t apply to people filling fuel cans.
Mr. Cuomo said other areas affected by the shortage, such as Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties, won’t restrict gas sales.
Officials said the rules in the city and Long Island would last indefinitely. Some drivers said they aren’t coming soon enough.
