Car ban spreads for pollution control

A story from the Beijing Morning Post says that China will be introducing its first no-car day on the September 22 in 108 cities. But the car ban will not cover all of the cities — which include Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin — but rather selected zones.

Typically there will be three of four zones where all private cars will be banned with the exception of police cars, ambulances, fire department vehicles and other special vehicles. And it is possible that special passes may be available for those who can prove that for them cars are an essential. As in the case of a handicapped person.

No-car day is just one part of a promotional campaign which is trying to get people to use public transport. Extra special fast bus lanes will be added in some of Beijing’s districts and the city is also opening its new subway line, 5 Train.

According to the Ministry of Construction, China’s urban population is now 577 million and the country has 53 million automobiles on its roads, with the number of private cars growing by 20% every year. Energy consumption for the transportation sector now accounts for a fifth of the country’s total energy use. Only 20% of Chinese city residents use public transport.

The no-car day, according to the Ministry, will save the country 22 million liters of petrol (8.7 million gallons) and reduce pollution emissions by 3,000 tons, plus prevent hundreds of road fatalities. The public transport usage in cities is expected to rise to as high as 50%.

Qiu Baoxing, vice-minister of construction, said at a meeting with representatives from the 108 cities, ‘The once kingdom of bicycle is losing its appeal. Fast urbanization, the concentration of people in certain areas, and an increase in the number of cars has seen bicycles lanes being reduced or completely eliminated. The event is not only a move to cut vehicle emissions but also a test of the capabilities of local governments to encourage more people to participate in such programs.’

How do the people feel about this?

An online survey jointly launched by China Youth Daily and Internet portal sina.com showed that among 2,968 respondents, 78.2% of those without a private car call for a permanent traffic ban, while 61.9% of private car owners object to it.

Deng Rong, an accountant of Beijing Double-Crane Pharmaceutical Company, also a private car-owner, said ‘A permanent traffic ban would be unfair since I have bought my car, how can you cut down half of my driving time?’