[sustran] Mexico City anti-pollution measures

[Paul Barter]

This was posted to the alt-transp list recently. (Paris also recently used
a similar policy during an ozone pollution alert.  My impression is that
these odd-even restriction policies can work well as short-term crisis
management in cities which have a reasonably viable public transport system
and where there has been good pre-planning.  Seoul also had success during
the 1988 Olympics.)


Sunday, October 26, 1997

World IN BRIEF, MEXICO
Half of Cars Banned From City's Streets
>From Times Wire Reports

About half of the cars in Mexico City were banned from the streets
in one of the capital's more severe efforts to control smog. City
officials said the move was part of Mexico City's longest period of
emergency smog controls since 1993, local media reported. Aside from
the driving ban, the measures restricted 240 of the city's factories from
working full time and shut 15% of gasoline stations. Cars with license
plates ending in an odd number were prohibited from driving, and drivers
who broke the rules were fined about $100. Some cars deemed cleaner
were exempt.


Peter Jacobsen
Pasadena, California

(from the LA Times)