Fuel rations next to batter NYC
2012-11-09 10:39
SOLUTION TO FUEL PROBLEM?: Damage after superstorm Sandy left many New York petrol stations without fuel. Ten days after the storm, residents are still searching.
Gallery
2012 Superstorm Sandy damage
NEW YORK - New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has ordered the emergency rationing of fuel due to a severe shortage caused by Superstorm Sandy.
Drivers will be allowed to by fuel on alternate days, based on whether license plates end in odd or even numbers. Licenses ending in a letter are eligible to buy fuel on odd-numbered days, he said.
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
The system, which follows a similar rationing regime implemented earlier in New Jersey, started a 6am on Friday, November 9, 2012, in all of the city's five boroughs, he said. It will remain in effect until further notice.
The region has been hard hit by fuel shortages since Sandy hit, due to power outages and inventory that has been stranded at refineries and terminals.
Bloomberg said: "Last week's storm hit the fuel network hard and knocked out critical infrastructure needed to distribute gasoline.”
He claims the rationing system is "the best way to cut down the lines and help customers buy gas faster."
Emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and certain other vehicles are exempt from New York City's rationing system.
In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie announced an odd-even rationing system for 12 counties.
