The Beijing authorities have decided to increase bus services to ease traffic congestion around the China-Africa cooperation forum between November 1 and 5.

 

Currently, Beijing has some 20,000 buses in service and each bus runs on the road for six times daily. The frequency of bus service will be increased markedly during rush hours depending on traffic flow from October 31 to November 7, according to the Beijing Transportation Committee on Friday.

 

Beijing has prepared 100 more buses to meet emergency demand during the forum period, according to the committee.

 

Beijing will also increase frequency of subway train service during the rush hours around the forum period.

 

According to a traffic security plan, the Beijing authorities will also restrict the use of vehicles belonging to government departments and state-owned enterprises, and shorten school hours to ease traffic congestion during the forum period.

 

The municipal government also called on citizens to take buses or ride bicycles instead of driving private cars during the forum.

 

Leaders of more than 40 African countries will attend the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 28, 2006)