Olympic transport on a roll -- china.org.cn

During the 2008 Olympic Games strict traffic management measures will be carried out in Beijing, with half of the city's vehicles ordered off the roads. In addition, 33,000 drivers and various transportation personnel will also be on call to offer transport services during the Games.

It is estimated that Beijing will have more transportation pressure during the Games, with the number of vehicles exceeding 3.3 million. Beijing will cut down on traffic flow and enhance public transportation, said Liu Xiaoming, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Transportation Commission, on January 22.

A transportation plan for the 2008 Olympics and the Paralympic Games has been finalized. 173 shuttle service lines and 34 special bus routes will be arranged during the Games, with 7 routes operating 24 hours a day, according to the plan.

To guarantee every citizen's daily travel needs, the capacity of rail transportation will also be improved via shortening station intervals and increasing subway cars.

Regular bus lines near the Olympic venues will also be adjusted to keep the traffic running smoothly during the Games.

In addition, 33,000 drivers and personnel will be arranged to offer transportation services for the Games.

The Olympic transport service personnel will serve members of the International Olympics Committee (IOC), personnel designated by IOC, technical officials, athletes and team officials, accredited media professionals, supporting staff for the Games and volunteers. The transportation services are divided into five categories based on different rankings, ranging from T1 to T5. The T1 category will aim at the president of IOC and its members, and the T5 will focus on spectators, supporting staff and volunteers, with all levels offering free public transportation services, Liu Xiaoming announced at a workshop in Beijing.

9,491 vehicles will be available during the Olympics and 17,000 drivers have been recruited. Drivers are currently receiving training for the upcoming Games, Liu said.

(China.org.cn by Yang Xi, January 23, 2008)