From October 11 to April 10 of next year, Beijing will pilot a vehicle restriction program to ease traffic congestion and improve air quality in the capital, China News Service reported on Sunday.


According to a notice issued by the municipal government, all vehicles in Beijing will be divided into five categories based on the last numbers of their license plates: the cars with plates ending with 1 and 6 will be banned from roads on Monday, 2 and 7 on Tuesday, 3 and 8 on Wednesday, 4 and 9 on Thursday, and 5 and 0 on Friday.


The restrictions for privately-owned vehicles will be lifted every day between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., while government-owned cars will face 24-hour restrictions one day a week.


Vehicles used for business purposes, including those of government departments at all levels, state-owned enterprises, institutions and social organizations, will be required to stay in the garage one workday per week.


In addition, 30 percent of the cars owned by the Communist Party and other government organs in the city will be banned from roads as of October 1.


In return, vehicle owners will enjoy a reduction of the one-month vehicle use tax and tolls for highway maintenance.


Police cars, emergency rescue vehicles, buses, and taxis will be exempt from the restrictions.


Beijing adopted an even-odd driving system during the recent Olympics: cars were banned on alternate days based on whether their license plates ended in odd or even numbers. The blue skies that resulted from this measure were met with a warm welcome from the public.

(CRI September 28, 2008)