Government's Plan to Save On The Consumption of Gasoline Ready
The government has indicated, though has not yet adopted, a contingency plan to save gasoline as the price of of a barrel of crude oil is hovering at the us$60 level.

The Pacheco administration had promised action a couple of months ago when crude oil prices hit us$58 and set off a series of increases in gasoline prices.

So, what does the government intend to do now that the price of a barrel of crude closed on Friday at us$59.84?

First, all public and state agency employees will begin work one hour earlier, that is they will start their workday at 7am and end the day at 3pm.

However, not all government and state agency employees will be affected. Workers at state banks, public clinics and hospitals and public schools and college employees will not have their hours affected.

And, second, the vehicular movement in downtown San José during morning (7am - 8am) and afternoon (4pm - 5pm) rush hours will be restricted based on the last digit of the vehicle's license plate.

The plan would restrict all vehicles from circulating the downtown area with a license plate ending with a 1 or 2 on Mondays, 3 or 4 on Tuesdays, 5 or 6 on Wednesdays, 7 or 8 on Thursdays and 9 or 0 or Fridays.

The restriction will not apply to any vehicle that is using alternative fuel to gasoline, like a hydbrid vehicles that combines, say an electric motor backed by gasoline power.