Beijing starts vehicle ban for 2008 Olympics

Shanghai, July 4 (Gasgoo.com) To ease traffic congestion during the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing's traffic authorities has started to ban entry of non-Beijing-registered vehicles any time from July 1 to September 20, a city traffic officer said on July 2. And local vehicles will be ruled off the roads on alternate days for two months starting July 20, according to xinhuanet.com.

While the out-of-town cargo vehicles, tractors, low-speed freight automobiles, tricycles, motorcycles and hazardous chemicals carriers are banned from entering the capital city for 82 days, vehicles running in Beijing between July 20 and September 20 must observe the alternate-day traffic rule according to their odd-even license plate numbers, except local buses, taxis, coaches, delivery vans, police cars and emergency services vehicles. Also, 70 percent of all government cars and corporate vehicles will be banned for two months from July 20.

A pass is needed for the entry of buses and other fuel-powered vehicles onto roads within the Fifth Ring Road from outside Beijing between July 1 and 19. They must meet relevant emissions standards, and drivers must hold a valid driver's license and certificates of operation, inspection, insurance and tail-gas emission before obtaining a pass that will have a maximum validity of three days.

Cargo vehicles registered outside Beijing but normally operating through Beijing must detour to National Road No. 112 during the traffic control period. Those transporting fresh produce must obtain a permit before entering Beijing.

Beijing will ban more than one million cars from the streets during the Olympics that begin on August 8 in an effort to curb pollution and ease traffic gridlock, the government announced last month.