Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an emergency order today that will require New Yorkers to get gasoline by their license plate number.
He said he hopes the system will reduce lines for gas, which have been blocks long in many parts of the boroughs. The NYPD reported earlier this week that 41 arrests stemmed from gas-line frustration.
“Last week’s storm hit the fuel network hard and knocked out
critical infrastructure needed to distribute gasoline,” Bloomberg said.
“Even as the region’s petroleum infrastructure slowly returns to normal,
the gasoline supply remains a real problem for thousands of New York
drivers.”
He added that the system is “the best way to cut down the lines and help customers buy gas faster.”
Starting at 6 a.m. tomorrow, vehicles with license plates ending in an even number or the number zero can get gas on even-numbered days.
Vehicles with license plates ending in an odd number can make gas purchases on odd-numbered days.
Cars with licenses plates ending in a letter or other character can make purchases on odd-numbered days.
Cabs and commercial vehicles, emergency vehicles and buses are exempt.
