Bloomberg Imposes Odd-Even Gas Rationing

Ángel Franco/The New York Times A line of cars waiting for gas stretched from 96th Street and West End Avenue up to at least 105th Street on Thursday.

With gas lines in New York City still stubbornly long and no relief for gas shortages in sight, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg imposed an odd-even gas rationing rule Thursday that goes into effect at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

The mayor said the measure, similar to one imposed in New Jersey by Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday that has been considered effective, should cut down lines, and allow gas stations to stay open later. The mayor said that only 25 percent of the city's gas stations were open right now.

“This is not a step that we take lightly,” he said, “but given the shortage that we will face for the next few weeks and the growing frustrations of New Yorkers, we believe it is the right step.”

The gas rule applies only to most private cars. Buses, taxis and livery cabs, emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, paratransit vehicles and cars with MD plates are all exempt.

Under the rule, motorists whose license plates end in an odd number or any letter or other character will be able to buy gas only on odd-numbered dates of the month.

Drivers with even-numbered plates (0 counts as an even number) will be able to buy gas only on even-numbered dates.