Beijing considers introducing traffic congestion charges
Capital will study introduction of a transport levy and a 'smart' system to collect toll revenue, its new five-year plan reveals
Beijing car owners may have to pay more in the future, as the city is among a growing number of mainland cities that are considering introducing congestion charges.
In a new five-year transport plan released this week, Beijing's transport commission said it would start studying congestion fees and would develop a "smart" transport management information system with the ability to collect congestion toll charges.
Other major cities - such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen - and smaller ones like Kunming , the capital of Yunnan province, have been considering rolling out congestion charges or have even included them in government plans.
Beijing's move, however, is likely to be more significant, given its national importance and its status as arguably the most congested mainland city.
The controversial policy of limiting the number of cars on the roads through a licence plate lottery was first adapted in Beijing before spreading to other cities.
According to Beijing's five-year transport plan, the congestion levy is included in the legislative schedule.
Although the plan lacks details (such as the size of the zones to be covered and the pricing policy), it represents the first time that Beijing's authorities have set a deadline for preparatory work.