Parking charge hike opposed in Guangzhou
Updated: 2012-05-07 21:50
By By Li Wenfang (chinadaily.com.cn)
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More than half of the people polled in a recent survey are opposed to paying more to park in downtown Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
According to the survey, conducted by the Guangzhou Urban Survey and Research Center, officials with the city's price bureau said in March that a public hearing will be held later this year on the proposal, which is intended to alleviate traffic jams.
Of the 1,012 residents polled, who were between the ages of 16 and 65, only 31 percent expressed support for the proposal. The remaining 15 percent said they were undecided, according to a report on the survey released on Monday.
About 47 percent said they thought of the proposed increase as being unreasonable and 74 percent said it would have little or no effect on traffic congestion.
About 69 percent said they were worried that higher parking fees would only make the practice of parking in undesignated areas more common.
Among those who mostly rely on their own cars for transport, 52 percent said the proposed increase would add to their traveling expenses. About 40 percent said it would not lead them to reduce their driving time and 33 percent said it would.
Last year, more than 2.1 million automobiles were in use in Guangzhou, according to data released by the Guangdong Traffic Management Bureau in February.
Authorities have taken various measures to alleviate traffic jams, such as putting a priority on public transport.