NYC to implement gas rationing system

Over four inches of snow covers the Wollman Rink in Central Park after a nor'easter struck with high winds and heavy precipitation in many of the same communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, in New York, Nov 8, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

NEW YORK - New York City, devastated by Hurricane Sandy late last month and hammered by an unseasonably early winter snowstorm on Wednesday, will introduce a gas rationing policy starting Friday in the face of frustrating fuel shortages across the city.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday signed an emergency order to introduce an odd-even license plate system for gasoline purchases.

Only cars with license plates ending in odd numbers will be allowed to fill up on odd-number dates, while motor vehicles with plates ending in an even number or a zero will be eligible on even-numbered days, according to Mayor Bloomberg.

"Last week's storm hit the fuel network hard - and knocked out critical infrastructure needed to distribute gasoline," Mayor Bloomberg said when announcing the rationing. "This is not a step that we take lightly. But, given the shortage we will face over the next few weeks, and the growing frustrations of New Yorkers, we believe it is the right step."    

The temporary odd-even system, taken to reduce waiting times and lines at gas stations in the five boroughs of NYC, will remain in effect until further notice, according to the mayor.

Nassau and Suffolk, two counties which are located in the New York metropolitan area but are administered by New York State, will join with New York City to practice the new gas rationing system.

At a news conference Thursday, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo said such decisions were up to the counties. Frustrated Long Islanders, however, are hoping Cuomo and other government officials to do more over the gasoline shortages.

Hurricane Sandy slammed US East Coast and made a landfall in New Jersey on Oct 29, killing more than 100 people and knocking out power for 8.5 million more people at its peak, with the damages estimated at $50 billion.

A "no gas" sign is seen in front of a vehicle that ran out of fuel in front of a gas station in Staten Island due to shortages following Hurricane Sandy, in New York in this Nov 2, 2012, file photo. [Photo/Agencies]