Major traffic control measures taken during the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), including increasing bus transport capacity and private vehicle restrictions, proved such a success that similar measures could be adopted during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

 

According to figures released at a press conference yesterday, special measures took 30 percent, or 800,000, of the capital's 2.82 million private vehicles off the streets during FOCAC. About 40 percent of commuters opted for public transport instead, 10 percent higher than usual.

 

"Policies such as alternating commuting hours and prolonged hours for buses and subways could be developed into long-term regular mechanisms, but this still needs further appraisal," said Liu Xiaoming, deputy director of the Traffic and Transportation Administration Committee of Beijing.

 

"The policies that were well-received by the general public have ensured a smooth summit as well as normal Beijing life.

 

"Next year we will host a series of test events in the run-up to the Games as well as other major international conferences. Successful management during FOCAC offers us very important experience in organizing major events.

 

"Beijing can definitely offer good traffic conditions for a high-level 2008 Olympics with the joint efforts of the government and concrete support of the general public."

 

Major measures during FOCAC included increasing bus transport capacity, restriction of private vehicular traffic, and extensive traffic situation broadcasting through direction boards, the media and mobile phone text messages, Liu said.

 

From November 1 to 5, the number of passengers on buses and subways increased by 10 and 15 percent respectively. During that period, buses carried more than 53.35 million commuters, 6.7 percent higher than usual, while the subway transported 10.84 million commuters, representing a 15.9 percent increase.

 

In addition, a "drive-one-day-less" campaign was jointly launched by Beijing's 407 car clubs and organizations, according to Du Shaozhong, spokesman of Beijing Environment Protection Bureau.

 

A total of 411,685 private automobile owners signed up to participate in the campaign.

 

Furthermore, nearly 80 percent of government agency cars were banned from the streets.

 

Traffic flow on major avenues including Chang'an Avenue and the Second and Third ring roads decreased 13 percent compared to normal levels.

 

"We tried to minimize disruptions to normal life. This time Beijing did not adopt any compulsory policies on privately-owned cars, nor did it issue any holiday notices to organizations," Liu said.

 

Liu also stressed that these measures did not incur any extra government spending.

 

(China Daily November 7, 2006)