Thu 24 Jan 2008
Beijing Traffic
Posted by Kim Schiefer under experiences in China
[2] Comments
Beijing traffic is ridiculous!! It’s a good thing more subway lines are being built because it would be great to relieve SOME of the traffic jams. Even out of the rush hour time period there’s traffic. Yesterday I was in a taxi and it took him 6 light changes to finally get past the intersection. I’m from New York so I understand there can be traffic, but this is out of hand. New York there are other routes to take but here there isn’t, so you have to wait.
Basically I sat through traffic, moving inches, light after light, before I couldn’t take it anymore. I threw my less-than-what-the-meter said-fare at the cab driver and ran to the closest subway station. Only to be pushed and shoved onto and out of the subway cart. Exhausted and frustrated I arrived very late for my meeting. Good thing everyone else was too.
Indeed! One solution might be significant congestion charges (not necessarily for taxis) and construction of Bus Rapid Transfer all over the city, managing the huge mobility demand. What are your ideas?
I think what China is doing during the Olympics is a good idea. They have decided to only allow vehicles on the road who’s license plate number begins with an odd number on some days and license plates starting with even numbers on the other days. This will encourage car pooling and mass transit and will result in less congestion. Another solution which is currently happening, thanks to the Olympics as well, is more subway lines. This will also reduce congestion because of a more convenient method of transportation.
I think the Olympics is bringing Beijing a better change for the future. Even the local people can’t handle the craziness. And I’m hoping the government will continue to think about these problems to find better solutions.