Beijing, Jan 1 (IANS) Nearly half of the people in China’s capital city of Beijing today prefer to commute by public transport instead of their private cars.
According to statistics released by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, some 44 percent of the people in Beijing rely on public transit to get around the capital, the highest percentage of any Chinese city, China Daily reported.
Beijing’s public transport system carried a daily average of 20.6 million passengers in 2012, said Sun Wenjian, spokesperson for the commission.
With efforts continuing to reduce traffic congestion on the city’s streets and ring roads, Sun also revealed the percentage of saloon car trips showed a decrease for a second year in a row.
The commission’s report highlighted that the city’s subway system also continues to expand, with more lines expected to open in coming years to further ease Beijing traffic congestion.
According to Sun, the Beijing Municipal Transportation Operations Coordination Center has been playing an essential role in providing safe and free-flowing traffic conditions, especially during peak seasons and rush hours.
He said there were no long traffic jams or major congestion during the National Day and Mid-Autumn festival. Beijing has a population of about 20 million.
