Reuters AlertNet Lite - China city bans cars over holiday, lauds results

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

China city bans cars over holiday, lauds results

09 Oct 2007 03:57:40 GMT
Source: Reuters

BEIJING, Oct 9 (Reuters) - A Chinese city saved almost $160,000 and its residents had a respite from polluted air during a week-long ban on private cars over the recent National Day holiday, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Fuyang, a city in poor, inland Anhui province, only allowed buses and other forms of public transport to ferry people about in an effort to combat "car wheel corruption", the Beijing News said.

Not only was there a noticeable improvement in the environment, but the city and its residents saved 1.2 million yuan ($159,900) in gasoline and other costs, the report said, without giving details.

"Shutting out private cars can save millions ... and have a positive effect on society," an unnamed local official was quoted as saying.

It did not say if the no-car week of last week would be repeated.

Last month, China held a voluntary "no-car day" in 108 cities in preparation for next year's Beijing Olympic games, although only two very small parts of the capital were included.

Beijing is closing its worst-polluting factories and switching the heating systems of thousands of homes from coal to gas, but air quality remains a huge concern for Olympic organisers. ($1=7.503 Yuan)

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• China profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• Brown government disappoints on first test of AIDS commitment
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• Publications Update: a new newsletter from the International HIV/AIDS Alliance
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• Building the effectiveness of HIV prevention in China
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• New International Health Partnership must build on AIDS accountability
International HIV/AIDS Alliance - UK

• China floods test efforts to narrow urban-rural divide
IFRC - Switzerland

MORE >>

Latest news

• China city bans cars over holiday, lauds results

• REFILE-ANALYSIS-Green fuels will save the earth - or not

• Japan extends sanctions on North Korea

• Austria rejects separate EU sanctions against Iran

• Austria rejects separate EU sanctions against Iran

MORE >>

Last updated:Tue Oct 9 03:58:05 2007