Authorities in Shenzhen have taken the first step toward introducing a scheme that charges motorists for using downtown roads during peak hours in a bid to alleviate the worsening traffic situation.

Compared with other mainland cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing, which are mulling over similar plans, the Shenzhen government has reportedly gone further, despite considerable differences of public opinion.

"We have just completed the first step. There is no timetable for the launch of the system and we will solicit feedback from local residents," an official surnamed Che at the government body responsible for handling traffic-related issues told China Daily yesterday.

The scheme will be discussed in government meetings before getting public feedback, he said. A survey conducted earlier this month by the news website www.people.com.cn found that half of the 84,490 people polled supported the scheme, saying the charge could help optimize road usage.

However, 44 percent of the respondents were against the scheme, saying it will raise driving costs but have no effect on the traffic situation.

According to the Shenzhen transportation bureau, the number of cars on the city's roads has been increasing by an average of 15 percent per year, with the total reaching 1 million in March.

Officials reaffirmed the effectiveness of a road-pricing scheme after studying a similar system in Singapore and consulting with experts from the city-state last month.

Singapore's introduction of the scheme in 1975, which has been gradually expanded and improved, has been effective in maintaining an optimal speed of 45 to 65 kph for highways and 20 to 30 kph for arterial roads, experts said.

Official figures for the second quarter of this year showed the average speed of vehicles in Shenzhen is about 30 kph in the morning and evening peak hours.

Li Jian, a lawyer from Shenzhen, said the government should not try to solve its problems by simply copying the practices of other countries and collecting fees.

"The administration raised parking fees in the commercial areas to reduce demand for private vehicles, but it doesn't work. I doubt if this scheme will work either," he said.

He said he hopes the government will attach more importance to urban planning and speed up the construction of subways and the public transportation system instead.

Another resident, Zhang Kun, said the system could be effective, but the government must ensure that it is suitable for the city.

(China Daily December 27, 2007)