subject: New Traffic Measures Will Take Effect in Beijing [print this page] New Traffic Measures Will Take Effect in Beijing
There is a widespread concern over the issue that is traffic congestion in cities, especially first-tier cities. On Thursday, in order to tackle gridlock on the capital's roads, traffic measures were announced for Beijing. According to a recent survey from China Daily, about private car buyers will receive 88 percent or 17,600 plates per month on average; Only two percent will be for commercial use; The rest will go to companies, government institutions and others.
Because of urbanization and modernization progresses, the number of cars in Beijing has rapidly increased. Hence, effective measures shall be taken to control traffic in Beijing. It is a fact that traffic jams in Beijing have worsened recently. According to statistics, as of Dec 19, the capital had 4.76 million vehicles, 700,000 more than that at the beginning of 2010 and contrasting with 2.6 million in 2005.It is true! In the past year, China eclipsed the United States as the world's biggest auto market. However, worsening air quality and traffic are suffered in major Chinese cities.
To base on the city's measures, on one hand, a Beijing driver will be permitted to own only one car in his or her name but car owners, On the other hand, eligible individual applicants include local residents and foreigners who lived in the capital for at least one year. Besides, vehicles are used by an individual can be once every month and by an enterprise can be once every two months, according to officials. Meanwhile, car limits will also be imposed during key festivals, bad weather and when important activities are held. Consequence, these measures will achieve the desired effect to curb traffic congestion. By limiting car license plates, people will be encouraged to take public transportation.
It is high time that we took measures to curb the traffic congestion; otherwise, we will live not only with fidgety, but also serious pullulated air.
