Increasing parking fees afflict Beijing

　　From April 1, 2010, the daytime parking fees involve small cars parked on the road in Beijing’s 13 key regions including Wangfujing and Yansha Area. Parking fees will rise to 5 yuan/ half an hour from original 2.5 yuan/ half an hour during the daytime.(7:00-21:00) In addition, parking fees will be 15 yuan/an hour if the parking time is morn than an hour. The 13 key regions are the Bejing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station, Dongzhimen East Middle Street, the Yansha Area, the Cuiwei Commercial Zone, the Dongdan-Wangfujing Commercial Zone, the Qianmen Commercial Zone, the Zhongguancun West Area, the Xidan Commercial Zone, the Chaowai Business District, the Central Business District (CBD), the Financial Street Business District and the Chongwai Commercial Zone. After the adjustment, the number of first-class regions will be added to 13 from original 8.In order to know Chinese consumers' opinion towards increase of the parking fees, Sohu Auto, Beijing Communication Radio and Sinotrust together conducted a survey called will you still drive cars after the increase of parking fees. Eventually, we got 51 valid questionnaires.

　　Consumers believe increase of parking fees can't ease transportation pressure effectively

　　According the survey, when it comes to the increase of parking fees involve 13 key regions of Beijing on April 1, 56.9% of the respondents said they didn't know it and only 43.1% said they knew the matter. Therefore, in consumers' opinion, how will the increase of parking fees impact on transportation pressure? Result of the survey indicates most respondents don't think highly of parking fees increase. 47.1% of the respondents said its impact is limited while 23.5% said it wouldn't ease transportation pressure at all. Nearly 60% of the respondents are located in 13 key regions and have various means to avoid parking fees. Among respondents of the survey, 58.9% often drive cars in above 13 regions. Some live in, some work in and some shop in these 13 key regions. In other words, increase of the parking fees is closely related with their daily life.

　　Do the respondents know where parking fees are cheap around 13 key regions? 90.2% of the respondents said they don't know while only 9.8% said they know. As a result, after the price adjustment in 13 key regions, will they park own cars around 13 regions and then go to there on foot? The survey shows that 56.9% of the respondents said they will take this measure while 43.1% said they would not. Faced with the rising parking fees, what measures will respondents take to save parking fees? 29.4% of the respondents said they would try another travel manner. In addition, some respondents choose to save time or run away when not noticed by others.

　　Percentage of residential areas’parking fees are the highest and the parking fees will increase about 10%

　　Among the respondents of the survey, 66.7% drive cars by themselves when go out in general, which accounts for the majority. Before the increase of parking fees, how about parking fees (per month) account for total maintaining cars for respondents? 43.1% respondents said percentage of daily parking fees accounts for less 5% of the total maintaining cars costs,27.5% respondents said the percentage is about 10% with 11.8% respondents' daily parking fees of total maintaining cars is about 5%.After the increase of parking fees, how much respondents' parking fees per month will rise? Less than 20% of the respondents chose less 5%, less than 20% chose more than 20%, except 33.3% of the respondents thought the cost will rise about 10%. Among daily parking fees for respondents, whose percentage is higher? According the survey, residential areas’parking fee was chosen by most respondents than daily parking fee, and the percentage is 37.3%.Additionally, 31.4% of the respondents spent a lot on parking fees of shopping and entertainment places.

　　Most respondents will change travel manner due to increase of parking fees

　　Most of the respondents said they will change travel manner and will avoid parking cars in high parking fee regions. In addition, they will avoid parking cars too long, reduce times of driving cars by themselves and take public transportation network. Only some respondents won't change their travel manner considering that increase of parking fees is affordable.

　　A parking space becomes a problem for Beijing drivers

　　Will respondents not consider long distance if some markets provide them with a free parking space? 51% of the respondents said no while 49% said yes. Which problem challenges respondents most when park their cars? 41.2% of the respondents said it is difficult to find a parking space. Lack of management in parking lots is another prominent problem.

　　Increase of parking fees will impact some consumers' plan to purchase cars

　　Will increase of parking fees impact consumers' plan to purchase cars? In addition to respondents who already have cars, 25.5% of the respondents said they will change their plan to purchase cars and 19.6% would continue to buy cars.

　　Conclusion

　　Through the above survey, Sinotrust found that after the increase of parking fees, parking fees of most respondents will rise to some extent. Consequently, some consumers will change their travel manner even choose markets that provide free parking spaces in spite of long distance. (Translator: Qinghua Wade)

　　See original Chinese report Please click:

　　http://13691142060.blog.sohu.com/147445366.html