A crowd gather at a service station with portable containers, waiting for gas pumps to open, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered gas rationing starting Nov. 9, 2012.(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Odd-even gasoline rationing started in New York City Friday at 6 a.m.
Severe gas shortages have lingered since Superstorm Sandy. The fuel shortage has brought hours-long wait times and lines at gas stations.
"This is not a step we take lightly. But given gas shortages and the growing frustrations of New Yorkers, we believe it's the right step," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday.
New Jersey has had a similar plan in effect for a week.
Under Bloomberg's emergency order, vehicles with license plates ending in an even number or the number "0" can make purchases of motor fuel on even numbered days.
Vehicles with license plates ending in an odd number can make purchases of motor fuel on odd numbered days.
Vehicles with licenses plates ending in a letter or other character can make purchases on odd numbered days.
Commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, buses and paratransit vehicles, MD plates and vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission are exempt from the rules.
Bloomberg says police will be on duty at every gas station in the city to enforce the emergency rules.
The mayor asked New Yorkers to fuel up only when necessary and to use mass transit whenever possible.
Nassau and Suffolk Counties are putting similar rationing policies into place at 5 a.m. on Friday.
Governor Andrew Cuomo released a statement on the plan:
"Due to additional fuel supply disruptions caused by the Nor'Easter which hit the region last night, Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the City of New York have decided to implement temporary fuel management measures to reduce lines at retail gasoline stations. The plans are regionally synchronized and all will have the same rules. The plans will impose odd-even rules on the purchase of gasoline for non-commercial vehicles and have been designed in coordination. Westchester, Rockland, and Orange will not have fuel management measures at this time. The state will continue to coordinate among local governments, as well as the federal government, to ensure that the any fuel management measures are planned and implemented in conjunction with the Coast Guard, the U.S. Department of Energy and the petroleum industry."
Friday, May 17 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:12:56 GMT
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
A welcome sight in Coney Island: workers cleaning umbrellas, wiping down counters, and putting the finishing touches on a rebuilt Original Nathan's Famous.
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:47 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:47:54 GMT
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
The MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the A train subway will run its route all the way to the Rockaways starting May 30, seven months after Superstorm Sandy washed away the track support bed.
Thursday, May 16 2013 4:28 PM EDT2013-05-16 20:28:43 GMT
Gov. Chris Christie has announced plans to use $300 million in federal funding to buy out homeowners whose properties have flooded repeatedly, especially during Superstorm Sandy.
Gov. Chris Christie has announced plans to use $300 million in federal funding to buy out homeowners whose properties have flooded repeatedly, especially during Superstorm Sandy.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:18 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:18:16 GMT
Great Britain's Prince Harry visited several towns along the Jersey Shore that were devastated by superstorm Sandy.
Great Britain's Prince Harry visited several towns along the Jersey Shore that were devastated by superstorm Sandy. The prince began the tour Tuesday morning with a stop in Mantoloking with Gov. Chris Christie followed by a visit to Seaside Heights.
With two weeks to go before the summer crowds arrive, New Jersey shore towns are in a race to finish rebuilding boardwalks wrecked by Superstorm Sandy.
With two weeks to go before the summer crowds arrive, New Jersey shore towns are in a race to finish rebuilding boardwalks wrecked by Superstorm Sandy.
Friday, May 3 2013 6:35 PM EDT2013-05-03 22:35:57 GMT
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
In the six months since Superstorm Sandy the ASPCA has been patching up Cairo, a pit bull terrier mix, but he is still looking for a home. He was about five months old when he was found abandoned in Brooklyn
Tuesday, April 30 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-01 02:03:55 GMT
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
Ever since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the Jersey shore last October, officials have planned for a new system of protective sand dunes along the entirety of the 127-mile coast.
A crowd gather at a service station with portable containers, waiting for gas pumps to open, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered gas rationing starting Nov. 9, 2012.(AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
