Guangzhou releases traffic proposals
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Guangdong government adviser Wang Zechu questioned the parking fee plan, saying government-owned parking lots should be free or inexpensive, while the market should decide fees at private lots.
The measure seems to target private vehicles, as many government vehicles are not charged for parking anyway, said Meng Hao, a member of the standing committee of the Guangdong committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, local News Express reported.
Wang believed congestion fee collection is time and energy consuming, and restricting government vehicles would be the most effective means of improving traffic.
The government will look at the experiences of Singapore and London to make scientific assessments before adopting congestion fees.
The authorities will also study temporary vehicle restrictions for certain downtown streets and times.
Guangzhou's government will also study restrictions on some major roads during peak hours based on whether the final digit of a vehicle's license plate is even or odd, Xian Weixiong, director of commission of transport said last month.
It also plans to reduce the number of freight vehicles downtown and relocate freight transport and wholesale markets away from the city center.
It will prioritize public transportation development by completing nine subway lines within five years. Guangzhou will add 16 bus terminals by 2015 and allocate 214 km for new bus lanes by 2013.
Public transport should account for at least 65 percent of motorized travel in the city by 2013 and 70 percent by 2015. The current percentage is 59.6.
Authorities will optimize road facilities, improve pedestrian passages and give more space for bicycle transport's development.
The government will optimize city planning by creating suburban centers and strictly controlling downtown development.
