China Will Alter And Extend Restrictions For Beijing Passenger Cars, Govt. Fleet Vehicles

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Beijing will take nearly a third of government vehicles off the road and limit the use of other cars starting next month in the hope of improving the Chinese capital's air quality and traffic flow.

The move was announced following public debate over whether to extend traffic restrictions that were in place during the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. Those restrictions, together with other pollution curbs, helped keep skies clear during the games.

Starting October 1, 30 percent of government vehicles will be "sealed up for safekeeping," the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau said in a statement on its Web site. The remaining government cars, together with privately owned vehicles, will be banned from roads starting October 11 on one out of every five weekdays depending on the last number of the vehicle's license plate, it said. The ban does not apply on weekends and will continue for a six-month trial period.

Government-owned vehicles make up 10 percent of the city's more than 3 million automobiles. Police wagons, ambulances and fire engines are exempt from the ban, the statement said. Buses, taxis and other public service vehicles are also not included.

EDIT

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/world/24622/beijing-extend-carless-days-amid-pollution-worries