(ECNS) -- Nearly 70 percent of those polled in a recent survey say a plan to charge drivers for traffic congestion is just a palliative to soothe transportation problems in many cities.
The survey by China Youth Daily finds 53 percent support the measure to be taken, 30.6 percent object to the idea, and 47.3 percent promise to drive less if the plan becomes a reality.
Meanwhile, 68 percent say the policy will not solve fundamental problems behind traffic jams, and 65.1 percent call for the government to be transparent about the use of planned fees.
Of the 2,000 respondents, 67.4 percent own cars, and 39.6 percent are from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, which all face heavy traffic loads.
Zhang Zhuting, a professor at a training school at the Ministry of Transport, says the proposed traffic congestion fee needs a valid legal base, otherwise it may deprive individuals of their property rights.
He also said standards are required to clearly quantify traffic congestion before the policy is introduced. In the survey, 21.2 percent say extensive public discourse is necessary before enforcing the plan. Over 28 percent say they will continue driving cars even if the policy is implemented.
Cheng Shidong, director of the Institute of Comprehensive Transportation at the National Development and Reform Commission, says integrated measures are needed to best solve traffic congestion in big cities, with a priority on developing public transportation.
In Beijing, which already has harshly restricted car purchases, officials said there is no exact timetable for the congestion fee plan, but that it will come out at the "right time" after adequately soliciting opinion.
