Beijing Officials Try To Boost Public Transit Use Through Public Persuasion Campaign - IHT

[hatrack]

Didn't you guys hear? They all want cars so they can be just . . . like . . . us. But hey, lotsa luck!

BEIJING: Beijing officials are trying to convince the city's 13 million residents to use public transportation, a step that should please 2008 Olympic planners troubled by the capital's snarled traffic and dirty air.

Without offering specific money figures, Liu Xiaoming, spokesman for Beijing's Transportation Commission, said Wednesday that spending on public transportation would be boosted in the 600 days remaining before the 2008 Olympics begin. Liu also said new bus and subway passes would be introduced early in 2007. "And before the Olympic Games we will try to introduce new cards and passes; new systems that will be more helpful to foreign visitors." The city's subway system is expected to grow from its present 192 kilometers (120 miles), reaching 300 kilometers (185 miles) by 2010 and 560 kilometers (350 miles) by 2015.

Despite the optimism, Liu offered figures suggesting the city was losing ground in its battle with chronic traffic congestion which, together with nearby heavy industry, is the source of frequently choking air pollution.

_ Beijing has 2.85 million vehicles, a figure expected to swell by 35 percent to 3.8 million in 2010.

_ The number of commuters using public transportation has increased from 26.5 percent in 2000 to 29.6 percent in 2005. In the same span, the number of private cars used for commuting has grown even more quickly from 23.2 percent to 29.8 percent.

"Our effort in alleviating congestion has been mitigated by the growth of urban construction and population," Liu said.

EDIT

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/27/sports/AS_SPT_OLY_Beijing_Traffic.php