Hunnan New district in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, introduced a paid system for the use of official cars on Monday, People's Daily reported on Monday.

The district established a vehicle management center and a State-owned assets management company earlier this year. From Monday, any official in the district who wants to use a car should apply using the management’s online system, and pay according to mileage with a card financed by the department the official works for. The official cars are charged at a price equivalent to 80 percent of local taxi fares.

Niu Qun, director of the district State-owned assets supervision and administration bureau, said the reform will help enhance the efficiency of official vehicles and is expected to save around 12,800 yuan ($2,050) for each car annually.