Beijing motorists are now restricted to using their vehicles on alternate days of the week. A new license plate-based even-odd traffic regulation kicked in on Sunday to ease congestion and reduce pollution over the next two months.
A normal Sunday morning in Beijing -- but with a difference. Traffic flow is better as there are fewer vehicles on the streets.
Quite a change for a city where taking to the road is a true test of patience. Now the mood is much different.
"No traffic jam at all."
For the next two months, car owners can only drive on alternate days which are determined by whether their license plates end with even or odd numbers. This is expected to remove 45 percent of the city's 3.3 million cars from the streets.
Some take a smooth drive on Sunday, as their plate number ends an even digit.
But others are forced to make alternate plans. And the public transportation is their first choice.
One local resident said "My car has an odd plate number, so I can't drive my car for the day. I decide to travel by bus because it's convenient, and the public transportation of the city is well-developed."
An additional four million people are expected to use public transport and the city is ready for that.
Beijing has expanded the number and frequency of buses. New routes linking up with Olympic venues are now in service. And three new subway lines are now carrying some of the load. Taxis are also available, providing more options for easy travelling. And some residents have opted to share their car for the day.
One local resident said "I've decided to share cars with my friends. The one with the license plate of the day can take others who live around and travel to the same destination. And those who lives beyond the area can get to the first stop by bike and join into the car."
Favorable policies such as a reduction of driving taxes are provided to car drivers. Violators will be fined.
One local resident said "There might be some trouble after the restriction rule. But since the overall traffic condition improved, the efficiency can change a lot. We can take a taxi if not on a driving day. It could save our time and the energy."
As a major source of air pollution over the city, the reduction of two million cars could be a shortcut to clearing air during the upcoming Olympics.
The first day of the even and odd traffic system has gone into effect. The real test will be on Monday when Beijing's rush hour gets underway. But millions of spectators and tourists will make the final assessment during the Games. And whether the flow of traffic will continue like this in the run-up to the Games and long after, let's wait and see.
(CCTV July 21, 2008)
