GAS RATIONING STARTING FOR NYC AND LONG ISLAND

Mayor Bloomberg signed an Executive Order today establishing an odd-even license plate system for buying gas, including diesel.

The goal is to reduce the length of time that vehicle drivers and people on foot carrying gas canisters have to wait on line at gas stations. The temporary order goes into effect on Friday (tomorrow) at 6:00 a.m. It will be in effect until further notice.

With this system,

• 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, Medical Doctor (MD) plates and vehicles licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission are exempt.

NYPD officers were sent a few days ago to all open gas stations in all five boroughs to maintain public safety; they'll remain deployed to ensure order. Violations of the emergency order are Class B misdemeanors.