China Travel Forum

[kamal]

Beijing was replaced 7,277 obsolete buses with new ones that meet higher environmental standards between now and 2008 in a bid to reach the goal of a "green Olympic Games," according to a news release by Bank of Beijing .

According to a contract signed on Tuesday between Bank of Beijing and the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications, the bank would provided a loan of 4 billion yuan (US$493 million) to the Beijing Public Transport Group to help replace buses with excessive emissions.

Yan Bingzhu, board chairman of Bank of Beijing, said the vehicles to be eliminated include three types: diesel-engine buses of Europe I or lower emission standards, worn-out buses and those that can use either petrol or liquid petroleum gas.


Zheng Shusen, board chairman of the Beijing Public Transport Group, said 17,507 buses are now on the road.Zheng said that by the end of this year, the group will have replaced 3,858 diesel-engine buses of Europe I or lower emission standards as the first step of the project.
The whole replacement project will be completed by the 2008 Olympic Games.
Zheng said new buses are more comfortable and convenient and take on a more modern look, which will contribute to Beijing's image as an international metropolis.

All the buses will be equipped with electronic screens and speakers to announce the coming stops. The floors will be lowered, as a convenience to passengers, especially children and the handicapped getting on or off.