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)