Convenient and fast public transport systems, especially light rail and subways, will help cities deal with increasing development and resolve traffic problems.

In China, the world's most populous nation with 1.2 billion people, public traffic systems should be developed into the first choice for daily transport, suggested Lu Huapu, a researcher with the Development Research Center under the State Council, in a seminar yesterday in Beijing.

Lu said that more than half of citizens in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou travel to their workplace by bike, and public transport such as buses and the subway still stand as a second choice.

"Too many bikes are becoming a major cause of existing traffic jams in cities," Lu said, adding that bikes make limited roads even more crowded.

Since the 1990s, new roads in most cities have been developing as hoped, but the number of private cars has increased dramatically.

Lu suggested that a fast and convenient public traffic system could lure the current bike riders and thus alleviate traffic pressure.

Beijing and Shanghai have decided to make their public traffic systems a priority in the 10th Five-Year Plan period (2001-05), but Lu said measures are still inadequate.

"Major roads should start special lanes for buses, and public transport systems should connect most regions fast and conveniently," Lu said.

He also suggested that road administration departments should upgrade their equipment to improve efficiency.

"High-tech measures should be adopted in traffic regulation, and traffic lights and intersections should be reconstructed," Lu said.

Lu's view was shared by Zou Silin, an official with the State Development Planning Commission, who also suggested developing a fast communication network across China.

Based on a number of core cities, road, railway and air routes should connect nearby cities.

"You should be able to travel between two cities within a distance of 1,000 kilometers in a day by road or rail, and high-speed trains and planes should be operated for long-distance transportation," Zou said.

(China Daily 03/27/2001)