Paris Makes All Public Transport Free To Fight Air Pollution That Hovers Over The City For 10 Years

Officials in Paris, France, have made public transport free for a third consecutive day and barred some cars from the roads. These have been enforced to combat the air pollution hovering over the city for 10 years.

Paris just like Beijing and Delhi is suffering worst smog and air pollution for 10 years. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo stated that the air pollution blanketing the capital was a proof that vehicle use in the city center must be reduced. Airparif agency said that the air pollution peak is due to the combination of emissions from vehicles and from domestic wood fires as well as near windless conditions, which means pollutants have not been dispersed.

#Paris aujourd'hui. La preuve de la nécessité de réduire la place de la voiture en centre-ville #pollution pic.twitter.com/R10Tdu4o2Y

— Anne Hidalgo (@Anne_Hidalgo) December 6, 2016

The officials enforced a system wherein cars with an even-numbered plate could drive in the city on Tuesday. Meanwhile, cars with an odd-numbered plate could enter the city on Wednesday. A driver who does not follow this rule will be fined up to €35 (~$37.16). Recently, about more than 1,700 motorists were fined on the first day alone, according to The Independent.

Hybrid or electric vehicles with three or more passengers together with the odd-numbered cars will be allowed to enter the city. Meanwhile, the emergency and foreign vehicles will be unaffected.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo stated that they stand up to say that they no longer tolerate air pollution and the health problems and deaths it causes. This refers particularly to the most vulnerable citizens. She further stated that big problems like air pollution require bold action and they call on car and bus manufacturers to join them, according to IFL Science.