Advisers differ on solutions to reduce traffic in Beijing
Updated: 2016-01-22 11:54
By Liu Wei(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
||||||||
Masses of vehicles move slowly on a highway during a traffic jam in Beijing, China, on January 18, 2014.[Photo/IC] |
Political advisers appear cautious about possible regulations on how to ease the traffic jam in Beijing just as most of cities in the country also face the same issues in China.
Some members of 12th Beijing Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) expressed their concerns on easing the jam in the capital by charging congestion fees and limiting people's use of private vehicles.
Shi Xiangyang, a member of Beijing CPPCC, believes it's time for the municipal government to adjust their regulations on traffic.
"If the regulations cannot ease the congestions after it's been applied for over seven years, it is clearly not working. We have to change our approach," said Shi to China Daily website during the local CPPCC in Beijing on Thursday.
For past seven years, Beijing has implemented a regulation that bans cars with plate ending with two different numbers on each work day to keep down traffic volume.
On the days of heavy smog or special events, only half of the vehicles are allowed on the road.
Adviser Zhu Liang said it will inconvenience people's daily life if ban on half of all cars became a regular thing.
But Beijing is not even close to smooth flow of traffic.
According to a report released by taxi-hailing company Didi Dache, people in Beijing waste 7,972 yuan ($1,212) per person on traffic jams last year. On average, commuters in the city spent 52 minutes to complete a 19.2 km trip daily, the longest stretch compared to other Chinese cities.
Shi said the government needs to expand the public transportation services, such as subways and light rails, which are currently far insufficient to meet the demand.
Public transportation facilities should be comfortable and convenient to become the first choice when people plan to go out, he said. "This is the key point to solve the issue."
Shi said experiences from overseas metropolises serve good examples for Beijing on the thorny problem.
- Railway police nab 40,315 fugitives in 2015
- China issues blue alert for snow storms
- Blast in firework factory leaves four missing, four injured
- Struggles of a Shanxi coal mine owner in bleak industry winter
- China launches system to check authenticity of living buddhas
- China sees rising online fraud in 2015: report
- 2015 Earth's hottest year on record: US agencies
- 8 killed in car bomb near Russian Embassy in Kabul
- Researchers find possible ninth planet beyond Neptune
- Former US VP candidate Palin endorses Trump with a 'hallelujah'
- Gunmen kill at least 19 after storming Pakistan university
- Hollande makes last-chance push to curb French unemployment
- Egyptian welcome for Chinese President Xi Jinping
- Robots reads China Daily to stay up to date with news in Davos
- China's Yao honored with Crystal Award in Davos
- Happy memories warm the winter
- World's images of the day
- Xi boosts ties with Saudis
- Cold wave sweeps across China
- Internet tycoons' wacky costumes are annual galas' highlight
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
National Art Museum showing 400 puppets in new exhibition
Finest Chinese porcelains expected to fetch over $28 million
Monkey portraits by Chinese ink painting masters
Beijing's movie fans in for new experience
Obama to deliver final State of the Union speech
Shooting rampage at US social services agency leaves 14 dead
Chinese bargain hunters are changing the retail game
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |