Too many for free rides in Guangzhou

Officials at Guangzhou, the host 2010 Asian Games, have hurriedly called off the free public transport facility in the southern Chinese city, a week after it was launched, following an unprecedented response from over eight million people who swamped the system.

Officials at Guangzhou, the host 2010 Asian Games, have hurriedly called off the free public transport facility in the southern Chinese city, a week after it was launched, following an unprecedented response from over eight million people who swamped the system.

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The free transportation facility has been called off due to enormous public response, which might pose a security threat to the Asian Games, official media here reported. The November 12-27 event would feature 11,700 athletes, competing in 42 sports.

The government, earlier this month, launched the colour-coding scheme for vehicles, effectively grounding half of the city's 2.1 million private cars and those entering the city each day during the Asian Games.

As a remedy, free public transport service was to be offered for 30 working days beginning November 1.

The offer was met with unprecedented enthusiasm from Guangzhou residents. For days, subway trains were often crammed and stations were full as swarms of people lined up to take a free ride.