left corner left corner
China Daily Website

Beijing seriously considering implementing congestion tolls by 2015

Updated: 2013-11-11 08:10
By Han Tianyang ( China Daily)

Fierce criticism

Unlike Zhao and Wu, who are part of a group that has an ambivalent attitude toward the possible policy, a number of people criticized the idea online fiercely.

Some complained that they have paid just enough - if not too many - taxes and fees for purchasing a vehicle and won't bear additional expenses.

Others said that they did not want to pay for traffic jams, and some even went so far as to ask for compensation for congestion. Some also questioned where the money will be used if the government begins charging congestion fees.

Experts said it's not strange that some oppose the idea and one important reason is the large number of government vehicles on the roads in Beijing.

"People always take London as a successful example of congestion fees, but Beijing is different," said Zhong Shi, an independent auto analyst based in the capital city.

"Beijing has so many government cars that mostly drive in the center of the city, and congestion fees won't work in curbing the usage of such vehicles," he said.

"There are many ways to tackle the congestion problem, but to charge fees should never be a first choice," he added.

Previous Page 1 2 Next Page

 
8.03K
 
...