Beijing expects 3.35 million vehicles during Olympics

Everyday, 1,300 new motor vehicles hit the Beijing streets. Authorities expect the total number of motor vehicles in the city to reach 3.35 million in August, during the Olympic Games, up from the 3.23 million cars recorded as of Tuesday.

A traffic ban will be imposed during the Games to help relieve congestion and improve air quality in the Chinese capital. Those affected will be compensated by the government, an unidentified official said, although the details of the plan have yet to be finalized.

Only taxis, buses and emergency vehicles will be allowed on the road everyday. Other vehicles will follow an odd-even scheme, staying off the roads every other day.

Beijing, along with several major cities, has been considering imposing a congestion fee for vehicles entering the city center at peak hours. There are, however, no plans to adopt this plan in time for the Olympics.