Jams hit toll-free expressways
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E-mail CNTV, October 1, 2012
For the first time in decades, Chinese cars can use the country’s expressways toll-free, during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday. But while the scheme is saving drivers money... it’s also very popular... and as a result, there’s been more than a little congestion.
Nobody wants to be stuck in a traffic jam like this.... especially on a public holiday.
Here on a section of the Shanghai-Hangzhou expressway in Zhejiang province, a traffic accident has made things even worse.
There’s now a queue ten kilometers long, leading up to this toll gate.
"We’re stuck in a traffic jam. We can only drive at 30 to 40 kilometers per hour."
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For the first time in decades, Chinese cars can use the country’s expressways toll-free, during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday. |
The road was congested before Sunday even began. Some drivers got to the tolls early, several hours ahead of the toll-free policy taking effect at midnight, Saturday.
Service station car-parks became full..... but for many, it’s still worth the wait.
"The toll free policy can save me more than a thousand yuan for my round-trip. It’s convenient to drive my car home."
After midnight, the cars began to roll through....
More staff were sent to toll gates in other cities, in anticipation of the heavy traffic. As a result, holiday traffic has moved freely in many places.
