Shenzhen takes lead in ending highway tolls

Vehicles warit at the Langdong Tollgate on the Guiin-Beihai Highway in Nanning, capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, earlier this month. [Photo/Xinhua]

THE TRANSPORT COMMISSION in Shenzhen, Southeast China's Guangdong province, has reportedly completed paying billions of yuan to obtain the sole operation of four local highways, which will be free to use from Chinese New Year's Eve on Feb 7. The authorities paid for two similar highways earlier this year. The Yangtze Evening Post highly values Shenzhen's efforts to eliminate highway tolls and urges more local governments to do the same:

For all citizens and enterprises concerned, it is exemplary that the Shenzhen transport authorities made four more highways free for the public to use via buying back the operational power.

As a self-sufficient city with sustainable growth, Shenzhen is financially able to provide highways free of charge to users. Other regions should bear that in mind and seek sustainable development to reduce the cost of driving.

Indeed, the nationwide promotion of free highways cannot be done in a day, but relatively affluent areas such as Guangdong province, could follow Shenzhen's example, while the less affluent areas can at least place the collection of highway tolls under proper management.

What is also noteworthy is that Shenzhen's free highways are a result of a scientific audit of the local road network. In other words, whether a project needs toll fees to fill a gap in financing and how much it should be allowed to charge should be disclosed for public supervision.

Only by taking such responsibility can local governments ensure that public funds are used in the right places without being squandered.