Ever since China opened up to the world in 1980's, the Shanghai Municipal Government, led by the Communist Party of China and the State Council, makes great effort to build the city into an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center. With the cooperation and hardwork of Shanghai people, the city is progressing to its goal as a global metropolitan. The new team of leaders of the Shanghai government took office in February 2003. "The power of the government is entrusted by the people; the interest of people is above all," as Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng promise in his inaugural. Guided by the Shanghai Party Committee, the city's new leadership vows to strictly perform its official duties; to make significant progress in self-improvement, and to intensify the shift of its role from administrative to public service. The Shanghai government will build itself into a service government that would share with the people all their happiness and troubles; a solid responsible government that is efficient, honest and diligent; a law-abiding government that respects legal system and rules strictly and impartially.

Priority Will Be Given to Urban Transportation. In the Next Five Years, the Percentage of Public Transportation Will Be More than 30%

10/29/2004

Special lanes, special traffic lights, special vehicles and special stations. These days, data about a BRT express public transportation system imported from abroad is being discussed heatedly by traffic departments in Shanghai and researches have been carried out immediately afterwards. It is reported from Shanghai Urban Traffic Administration on June 16th that in the future, priority will be given to developing public transportation in the future. According to the plan, in the next five years, the percentage of public transortation will be increased by another 8%. It is clear for the Shanghai citizens and Government "special" means giving priority. Giving priority to public transportation means giving priority to the general public.

All big cities with large problem face the conflict between "vehicles and roads" and Shanghai is also working hard to settle this conflict. In the past five years, Shanghai has already given priority to its public transportation. Four rail traffic lines, with a total length of 82 kilometers, have been in use, and the interval of trains have been shortened from time to time. The number of buses has been increased from 13,000 to 18,000, with a total operation distance increased by 90%. There are 20-kilometer special lanes for public transportation on Yan'an Road and other major roads. The changing hub in People's Square, Xu Jia Hui, Zhong Shan Park and Wu Jia Chang and other key areas have been completed, making it easier for local citizens to go out. Starting from 1998 to 2003, the percentage of public transportation increased from 16% to 22.3%.

"22.3%" is a progress as well as a challenge. In big cities like New York, Paris and Tokyo, the percentages of public transportation are always more than 70%. Experts think that under the current road condition, to increase the percentage of public transportation is an important settlement to traffic jam. Statistics indicate the among the means of transportation of Shanghai citizens, bicycle and scooter account for 40% and buses and private cars account for 10%, which means that a large amount of road resources have been wasted. The traffic bureau said that according to "Suggestion on Giving Priority to the Development of Urban Public Transportation" published by the Ministry of Construction, in the next five years, public transportation should account for more than 30% of the total transportation in Shanghai.

How to attract more local residents to choose subway, elevated train, bus and taxi? The key factor is to making these means of public transportation more appealing. BRT express public traffic system is an appealing express traffic network. By making use of special lanes for buses, large buses, it can deliver passengers conveniently, quickly and comfortably. In foreign countries, a typical BRT express public transporation system usually ride on two-way and closed roads, with stations in the middle. All the doors are open from the left. All traffic lights give priorty to BRT. According to experts from urban traffic bureau, BRT is only a priority of public transportation on the road. There are also the priority of planning, of traffic lights and economic policies. The urban traffic administration bureau also plans to build a "parking-changing" hub in suburban areas so that passengers can change to public transportations. Incentives such as buy more for less will also be given to passengers so as to encourage them to take public transportation.
The Shanghai government 2006