Regulations that will raise parking fees in downtown Beijing this April are drawing criticism from car owners who say authorities are more concerned about collecting revenues than solving the city's endemic traffic problems.

Officials have long debated changing parking rates in Beijing's most congested areas to ease traffic flows. But the new rules, which will double parking fees in 13 commercial and business areas, are unlikely to improve overcrowded roads, experts and drivers said yesterday.

Fees will increase from five yuan per hour to 15 yuan per hour for roadside parking in most downtown areas starting from April 1, the Beijing municipal development and reform commission said on Monday night.

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Rates for above ground and underground lots will go up to eight yuan and six yuan per hour from five yuan per hour. The fees for these facilities will remain lower than roadside parking to encourage drivers to park vehicles away from already cramped streets, said an unnamed spokesperson with the commission.

Critics said the move to guide drivers from parking on roadsides would do little to better traffic problems.

"The move is clearly not a thorough one, and far from perfect since many parties want to cling to their financial interests," said Ou Guoli, a professor of transportation economics at Beijing Jiaotong University. "The 13 areas are too isolated citywide to bring about any comprehensive effect on traffic flow."

Ou said authorities should consider expanding the parking fee increases to bigger areas, including destinations within the Second Ring Road.

"Only when the differential pricing system extends to bigger areas, instead of isolated neighborhoods, will it help reduce traffic jams," Ou said.

Song Helin, an IT worker in Zhongguancun, said he thinks the government is more focused on making money than solving traffic problems.

"They used to cut road tolls and roll out tax discounts to boost car sales, but now they raise parking fees to boost financial gains in the name of traffic management," said Song.

Parking fees in some commercial areas are already 15 yuan per hour, said an office worker who drives to Wangfujing area each day.

"After April 1, prices may go even higher," said the travel agent surnamed He. "The move will only add to my financial burdens, but I will still have to drive since there is no subway station near my home."