Chinese cities likely to introduce congestion fees

Edited and translated by People's Daily Online

Some major Chinese cities are likely to introduce congestion fees this year to ease traffic jams.

Sun Hui, an official with the China Automobile Dealers Association, said that congestion fees will be imposed on cars using certain busy roads during rush hours, and used as an economic tool for limiting the number of peak-period road users by increasing their costs. The purpose of the fees is to relieve traffic congestion and to improve the efficiency of the entire urban traffic system.

“The number of cars is expected to hit new highs in some major Chinese cities this year, approaching the upper limits of these cities,” Sun said, adding that it is necessary to restrict vehicle parking and use on certain busy roads during peak hours.

Compared with administrative means, the economic means of imposing congestion fees may be more effective in guiding citizens to properly use cars and improving the efficiency of urban transportation resources allocation.

Sun suggests that consumers should adopt a rational attitude toward car purchases, and buy a car only if they need it, instead of buying it simply due to price cuts.