Olympic Countdown...

Wang Li gives the speech at the press conference.

Transport Services and Traffic Control Running Smoothly for the Olympics

(reprinted from the Official website of the Bejing Olympics, 07/29/08 -- http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/official/preparation/n214488571.shtml)

(BEIJING, July 29) -- Transport services in Beijing are able to meet the requirements of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Wang Li, vice director of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau, and Yu Chunquan, director of BOCOG's Games, Wang Li, vice director of the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau, and Yu Chunquan, director of BOCOG's Transport Department, assured reporters at a press conference held at 11:00 a.m. on July 29.

Wang outlined the services and measures taken by the municipal government to ensure satisfactory public transportation during the Olympic Games. Beginning July 20, for example, vehicles began operating on alternate days based on even or odd plate numbers, and Olympic-designated traffic lanes became effective on some roads.. In the past week, traffic conditions across Beijing have seen significant improvement, with far fewer reports of traffic jams and accidents than just a week prior.

"The Olympic Games are approaching, and we have established a very good network and highly efficient system to guarantee a high-quality public transportation system. We are confident that we will satisfy the international community, athletes and tourists from various countries. We are confident about implementing all the control measures. We are ready," said Wang.

BOCOG's Transport Department, Yu added, is responsible for providing transportation services for accredited client groups, including members of the Olympic family, athletes, team officials, technical officials, accredited media and journalists. The client group population is expected to reach 50,000."

Between July 20 and September 20, Olympic transportation services will cover all the competition venues and standard training venues in Beijing as well as non-competition venues such as Olympic Family hotels, the Olympic Village, the Media Village, the MPC (Main Press Center) and the IBC (International Broadcast Center). The hotels of International Sports Federations (IFs) VIPs, restaurants and other officially designated places will also be covered by the system.

The vehicles are ready and there are in all 7,000 vehicles -- not counting the vehicles for use at venues in the co-host cities. Of these, 3,200 vehicles are for members of the Olympic Family and NOCs, 1,660 vehicles are for athletes, technical officials and accredited media, and 80 vehicles are for the transportation of luggage and operations as outlined by BOCOG's Transport Department. Another 1,000 large coaches and more than 1,000 rate card small buses will be provided to sponsors.

BOCOG's Transport Department has recruited 13,000 professional drivers from passenger transport companies as well as volunteers in Beijing. They will be allocated to more than 50 service vehicle fleets of eight transport service operating teams. All the drivers have service qualifications and have undergone special Olympic training programs.

In addition to the special transport services for the delegations, it will provide shuttle buses for athletes, and technical officials and accredited media journalists. During peak hours, more than 170 shuttle bus routes will be in operation.