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  3. Beijing is contemplating charging congestion fees for cars that enter the ci

Beijing is contemplating charging congestion fees for cars that enter the ci

游客2023-11-26  26
问题     Beijing is contemplating charging congestion fees for cars that enter the city center during peak hours in a bid to ease the traffic condition and improve the air quality in the capital. Heated discussions on the effectiveness of congestion fees are aroused among people. The following are opinions from different sides. Read the excerpts carefully and write your response in about 300 words, in which you should:
    1. summarize briefly the different opinions:
    2. give your comment.
    Marks will be awarded for content relevance, content sufficiency, organization and language quality. Failure to follow the above instructions may result in a loss of marks.
    BadBreath(the US): Drastic measures must be taken or imposed in order to deal with the horrendous pollution problems throughout China. They can place enormous tariffs on cars to minimize traffic volume and pollution. Then, continue expanding the subway to the best of their ability.
    Brendan(the UK): The congestion charge was introduced in London in 2003 in a bid to reduce inner-city traffic volume and prevent pollution. The congestion charge of about ￡11.5 is required to enter the zone. In the 12 years since the congestion fees have been levied, traffic volume and pollution have fallen sharply. The policy can be named as one of the most successful policies.
    Matt(China): I support the move! I have to endure road congestion every day to and from work: I don’t know whether this congestion charge will be an effective solution to this problem or not, but I sure hope so! The ways of managing cars that are currently in force are unreasonable since they cost a lot in fees even for people who don’t drive cars. It would be better to change to a situation where those who drive cars bear high costs, while those who do not drive cars pay no money at all.
    Britomart(China). There’s another very significant factor, which our city’s officials seem to be ignoring. Congestion fees are no barrier to the very wealthy, to whom fees and regulations are negligible. If anything, higher rates simply serve to show off that they are the elite, to whom money is irrelevant.
    Strangerl23(the US): Such fees are just more income for the government. People who need to drive will pay the fee. No such fee can ever stop or deter anyone from driving. You know why? Driving is not a luxury as you imagine. To many people, driving is a necessity. Why don’t you ban cars? This would work greatly.
    Arun(Singapore): The congestion charge is almost proven not to work all by itself. It has to come backed up with extensive public transport systems. Singapore has a decent public transport system and that is why the congestion charge works. Singapore has a metro stop almost every two blocks(in the central districts) and buses every 5 minutes to feed them. The inherent solution itself comes with the way the city is designed so that people travel less. China could solve part of the problems with ramping up the density of residential areas around their work places.
    PatrickInBeijing(Germany): Congestion fees might make more sense if they are coupled with other programs. Several people have noted to improve mass transit. How about lower fees for cars with multiple passengers and higher fees for cars with only one person? Multiple passenger cars could also be given priority at toll booths. Electric cars could get reduced fees, while large cars that produce more pollution would pay more. There are a number of ideas which could help. Keep in mind that it is not just about congestion, but about pollution and that not all cars pollute equally.
    Write your response on ANSWER SHEET FOUR.
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答案                   Should Congestion Fees for Cars Be Charged?
    In the wake of a spell of hazardous smog, Beijing’s traffic authority announced that the city is likely to charge congestion fees for car owners. Should congestion fees be the problem-solver? People’s opinions vary a lot.
    Although they all unanimously agree that drastic measures should be taken, to solve the horrendous traffic and pollution problems is much more difficult than to propose a policy. Some support the government in view of London’s successful experience in 2003, and they claim the fees collected could be used to expand public transportation. But others point out that congestion fees will not deter people from driving, as driving is not a luxury but a necessity. On the contrary, it makes those who drive feel the sense of superiority. Besides, congestion fees make no sense without the support of some other programs, such as the extension of public transport system, the balance on different types of car driving, and so on.
    Sorting out all the fluffy clues, my main contention is that the congestion charge does not guarantee a solution to traffic and pollution problems without the support of other programs. First, public transport system should be well-extended and well-developed. The key to solving the congestion problem in metropolises in China is to balance the fast growing demand on transportation and the insufficient supply of transportation resources. Second, there should be different considerations about the charge. For example, cars with multiple passengers or energy-saving cars should get reduced fees, and electric cars should be charged free. Third, vehicle emission may not be the main source of the notorious smog problem in China. London smog is not controlled by only one policy of collecting congestion fees. The government must make sure that the fees are spent on the improvement of dwelling environment of its people. Otherwise, it will surely arouse complaints and discontent from its citizens.
    In a word, we should not combine air pollution with congestion problems in big cities. Comprehensive considerations and joint efforts by the government, and researchers from institutions and the public are all needed.
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