Article Lead Image

New Yorkers use Craigslist to skirt gas rationing rules

To get gas after hurricane Sandy, some New Yorkers are swapping license plates with their neighbors.

 

Jordan Valinsky

Trending

Posted on Nov 9, 2012   Updated on Jun 2, 2021, 7:42 am CDT

Craigslist is known as a place to swap hook-up stories, but a New Yorker is using it for something just as essential to share: license plates.

In a message posted to the “Items wanted” category on the Brooklyn section, a crafty resident is asking fuel-thirsty people if they want to switch license plates. It’s an attempt to maneuver around the gas rationing rules New York has imposed on its residents to alleviate hoarding and long lines that are crowding city gas stations after Superstorm Sandy.

The state is allowing people with license-plate numbers ending in odd numbers or a letter to fuel up Friday, while drivers with even numbers or a zero can purchase gas on Saturday.

“I have an even-numbered plate and am looking for a buddy with an odd-numbered plate. If you need gasoline on an even-numbered day I will lend you my plates. If I need gas on an odd-numbered day you lend me your plates,” wrote the unknown poster, only listing their location as Park Slope, Brooklyn.

To ensure the veracity of the plates, the post creator is suggesting that those interested to show up at the station in their vehicles with paper plate registrations and window stickers on their the cars.

“We would have to leave collateral for the borrowed plates to insure their safe return. The plates of the other should do,” they said.

The poster did not respond to the Daily Dot’s request for comment about whether they’ve found their license-plate buddy.

Photo via Hashgram/@suzyn2001

Share this article
*First Published: Nov 9, 2012, 3:05 pm CST