Fewer Beijingers use private cars

When two more stations are completed on Line 10 in mid-2013, that route will become the second subway loop line in the city and the longest line.

According to Sun, the Beijing Municipal Transportation Operations Coordination Center has been playing an essential role in providing safe and free-flowing traffic conditions, especially during peak seasons and rush hours.

He said there were no long traffic jams or major congestion during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.

During September, traditionally the busiest month on Beijing's roads, particular efforts were made to ease congestion.

In addition to activities aimed at getting citizens out of their cars and onto public transport, the city has extended the service times of 11 bus routes while shortening the departure intervals of subways and buses.

A new intelligent transportation information service now provides the latest data on 2,080 bus routes, 15 subway routes and more than 3,000 overpasses across the capital's main urban areas.

Motorists and pedestrians can download a free application software onto their phone to keep up-to-date.

During the year, according to the commission report, the capital also provided a first batch of 2,000 bicycles to residents in 63 locations with high traffic flow in the city, including Chaoyangmen and Sanlitun, in June, aimed at providing a green and low-carbon transport alternative that will help ease pressure on the road.

It is expected that 50,000 bikes will be put into operation in some 1,000 key locations by 2015. The bikes are free to use for the first hour and then cost just 1 yuan (16 US cents) per hour. The maximum cost for renting a bike for a day is 10 yuan, and residents can rent one for up to three days.

Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, said that if all car users gave up their cars in favor of a bike, traffic congestion and air quality in the city would be vastly improved.

"Automobiles are a major source of pollution, especially PM 2.5 pollution (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns) in the capital," said Ma.

"To end the tyranny of automobiles in urban areas would not only clear the road but refresh the air as well."

zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn