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New York City Gas Rationing Comes To An End

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gas rationing was over in New York City Saturday, after Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an order allowing the post-Superstorm Sandy restriction to expire.

The odd-even license plate rationing system ended at 6 a.m. Saturday. A day earlier, the mayor said the system was beneficial in dealing with the gas crisis when fuel could not reach the area after the storm.

"The odd-even license plate system not only significantly reduced extreme lines, but also eased anxiety and disruptions for drivers at gas stations across the five boroughs," said Bloomberg. "With more than 85 percent of gas stations now operating – a substantial increase from just 25 percent two weeks ago – and Thanksgiving and Black Friday behind us, the odd-even license plate system will be rescinded."

The odd-even gas rationing system was instituted on Nov. 9 in an effort to ease long lines associated with the gas crunch that occurred in the days after the storm. On Sunday, Bloomberg extended the restriction until Saturday morning in the city.

Similar rationing has ended in New Jersey and on Long Island.

The system limited drivers to filling up on odd or even days, depending on the last digit of their license plate number.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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