Source: CCTV.com

05-01-2007 14:09

Over the next ten days, CCTV reporters will take a closer look at the changes the 2008 Summer Olympic Games will bring to Beijing.

For the first in this special series, Han Bin takes a closer look at the capital's public transportation system. Beijing residents are hoping preparations ahead of the Olympics are just the beginning of smooth ride.

For many of the city's 13 million residents, who rely on the bus system just getting to work can mean a daily struggle.

Yang Weiwei takes one of the busiest buses to work. She pays only 40 fen, or about 5 US cents for a single journey. She's lucky to get a seat because the ride is over an hour. But taking the bus is the cheapest way. Yang said "Generally speaking, taking the bus is the most convenient way for me to get around. For average workers like me, public transport is still the best."

But along with low fares come over-crowding and traffic jams. And it can be tough for passengers who have to transfer for the first time. Not only do they have to find the right bus, but the timetables can be a mystery.

Li Ming said "There's been little improvement. The traffic jams just seem to be getting worse."

Yu Haixia said "There should be more buses during rush hours. We sometimes have to wait for ten minutes or longer for a bus to come."

The local government is using the Olympics as a chance to bring good public transport to the city.

Ma Qingshuang is in the right place to see it happen. He's been driving a bus for nearly thirty years. And he says he has never felt so proud to be a bus driver in Beijing.

Ma said "The Olympics means lighter, more environmentally-friendly buses that are comfortable and convenient to drive. And they will also improve our working conditions."

Ma's company brought in over 3,000 such "Green Olympic" buses last year. And most other buses will also have to meet European emission standards.

Beijing is expected to open new roads and adjust bus routes to meet the need of ever increasing riders. And during the Summer Games in 2008, the city will use designated Olympic lanes to keep traffic flowing.

But at the same time, private car ownership is putting more vehicles on the roads.

Yang Bo has been driving her own car for a year. Her days of taking the bus are over. He said "I can afford a car, and it takes too much time to take a bus . Saving time is saving money, isn't it? "

But even her little car pollutes. And every day, 1000 new cars drive onto the streets.

The Olympics will come and go, but the real challenge is finding a long-term solution.

Facing the growing intensity of traffic jams, Beijing is focusing its efforts on developing its public transportation system. The government is hoping its 13 billion US dollar investment in public transport, will be enough to ease congestion, during the Summer Olympics in 2008.

Coming Up...

Olympic volunteers won't be selected until next March, but many young candidates are already getting involved. In tomorrow's Olympic Series, we take a look at what one university student is doing to improve his chances.

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan