Officials may continue car limitations in Beijing

Creation date: 16 March 2010

The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport is debating whether to continue limits on car transportation in Beijing, according to Liu Xiaoming, director of the commission. The commission is expected to implement measures to relieve traffic jams, which include the school bus pilot point and nine other items.

According to Liu, limiting people to drive their cars one day per week really helps in relieving traffic jams. The Beijing Transportation Research Center has been insistent on assessing the traffic condition every day since 2006 and found that despite the fact that the number of vehicles in 2009 had increased by 515,000, the limiting measure still plays a part in relieving traffic jams.

"We are discussing about whether the limiting measure should continue after April 10 and meanwhile, we will ask residents and representative committee members for advice," said Liu. At present, the seventh stage of the plan for relieving traffic jams has been completed and they have sought ideas from the deputies of the National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). The plan contains six parts, including 56 tasks, all of which will be implemented this year.

Liu added that the city certainly will not restrict residents to own cars but it will limit the cars entering in the downtown area through the economic lever, and at the same time, restrict the car usage in some parts. Many residents are complaining about the heavy congestion on weekends. Currently, Liu said there are no plans to limit car transportation on weekends.

Source: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6921333.html