交通堵塞问题: Beijing’s traffic problems

UIBE, 28ºC, overcast

北京有交通堵塞问题。Despite having vast ring road that make concentric circles around the heart of Beijing, despite providing an endless array of buses, despite charging just 2元 (20p) for a ride on the underground, Beijing has severe traffic problems. Private ownership of cars has risen dramatically as many Beijingers have cashed in on China’s recent economic prosperity. The result is that there seems to be eternal rush hour in some parts.

On a Friday afternoon at 3pm, I was stuck in gridlock on the third ring road. It was in this traffic jam that I noticed a fascinating phenomenon – bus convoys. This is my own term, but I think it quite accurately describes the reality. When there is heavy traffic, buses help each other out. They yield for other buses, and create a driving column of buses. I spotted one poor mini stuck in the middle of a line of six double decker buses. This is traffic bullying in its most cruel form.