Since the 1970s, vehicles from places outside the capital have to apply for a pass to enter Beijing. However, in recent years traffic jams have become a worsening problem in the capital, and the vehicle pass system has become stricter than before. Since 2014, vehicles from outside Beijing can only apply for a temporary pass valid for seven days instead of a long-term pass.

But the vehicle pass has become an obstacle to the integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province, and more and more people are appealing to abolish the unreasonable system.

Recently there have been media reports that a Beijing municipal official said the relevant departments are investigating whether the Beijing vehicle pass system should be ended, which has been warmly welcomed by the public.

But experts also pointed out that Beijing faces great challenges if it chooses to cancel the vehicle pass system, considering the heavy traffic jam in the city nowadays. They suggest the system should be adjusted gradually according to real situations.

The transportation management authorities in Beijing and Hebei province have released their plans for the transportation integration of the three regions, and Beijing intends to promote public transport use through an IC-card system.