Beijing To Ban Cars At 2008 Olympics

"Parking lots near the sporting venues will not accept private cars, Xinhua [News Agency] said, citing a Beijing transportation official, Liu Xiaopeng. Instead, ticket holders will be able to ride special Olympic buses for free to the events, the report said.

Beijing's often gridlocked traffic, along with choking pollution, have emerged as among the most nettlesome issues for the city in preparing for the 2008 Olympics. Last week, city officials and experts discussed a range of possible measures, from expelling many of the city's estimated 1 million migrant workers to shutting down heavily polluting factories to ease congestion and smog during the Games.

In addition to the limits on private-car use, Beijing will also designate lanes on major roadways for Olympic traffic and bar other vehicles from using those lanes. Xinhua said 210 kilometers (130 miles) of city roadways will be designated as Olympic lanes."