Guangzhou closer to ban on non-local cars in rush hours
Officials agree to rush-hour curbs to ease jams and improve air quality, despite some opposition
Guangzhou moved a step closer yesterday to banning non-local cars from entering the city in rush hours.
The draft measures, released by the Guangzhou Municipal Transport Commission, aim to ease traffic congestion. Cars that are not registered locally would be barred from entering downtown areas and using main roads between 7am and 9am and 5pm and 7pm from Monday to Friday.
In addition, non-local cars would be banned from key roads linking Guangzhou to neighbouring cities, such as Foshan and Dongguan , from 7am to 7pm on working days.
Drivers would face a fine of 200 yuan (HK$250) for violating the rules and receive three points on their licence. A driver's licence is suspended if he or she racks up 12 points in a year.
Some vehicles, including those licensed in Hong Kong and Macau, and those used by foreign consulates would be exempt from the restrictions.
At a public hearing yesterday, 14 of 15 groups present, most of which represent Guangzhou citizens, backed the proposals. No timetable for introducing a ban was put forward.