Beijing to lift even-odd ban upon vehicles in early hours of day

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Beijing will lift the even-odd ban on vehicles between midnight and 3:00 a.m. every day during the Olympic Games, said the city transport department Saturday, a day before the ban is to take effect.

The city will impose an even-odd system based on licence plate numbers to keep vehicles off the roads on alternate days from July20 to Sept. 20. This is to ease congestion and improve air quality.

Olympic traffic reserved lanes and traffic control measures around the Olympic Center will take effect from Sunday.