Gas Rationing Arrives: Drivers Can Buy Gas Only on Alternate Days, Bloomberg Orders
In the face of gas shortages that he expects to last for several more weeks, Mayor Bloomberg is taking significant action ordering drivers to buy gas only on alternate days.
Beginning at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, license plates that end with an odd number or a letter can only buy gas on odd days (such as Friday, November 9). License plates that end with even numbers or zero can only buy gas or diesel on even number days (such as Saturday, November 10). Police will be deployed to enforce the order.
There are several exceptions to the rule: hand-held gas cans, commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles, buses and paratransit vehicles, Medical Doctor (MD) plates and vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission.
Nassau and Suffolk counties are imposing the same rules. New Jersey already has similar rules.
“We have to do something and this is practical, enforceable and understandable,” says the Mayor. “Doing something is better than doing nothing.”
At present, the city estimates that 25% of city gas stations are open, well below the average in the region. New Yorkers have been driving to New Jersey to get gas to avoid lines of several hours. Other action taken by the government include lifting the Jones Act allowing more fuel to arrive in port from foreign flagged vessels, described by the Mayor as important but “not enough.”
NYPD officers will be deployed at gas stations, but we expect that NYers will respect the rule and work together to ensure compliance
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) November 8, 2012
This is not a step we take lightly. But given gas shortages and the growing frustrations of NYers, we believe it’s the right step.
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) November 8, 2012
@azipaybarah @howiewolf I'm pleased & grateful. The obvious question now is: what the heck is the federal government doing to resolve this?
— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) November 8, 2012
"It's not any great imposition once you get used to it," Mayor says of gas rationing.
— B. Colby Hamilton (@bcolbyhamilton) November 8, 2012
What do you think of Bloomberg’s order? Will it help or hurt?