Tolls re-imposed on expressways

China has re-imposed tolls on the country's expressways after lifting them during the Golden Week holiday. But the expected queues didn't materialize as millions of people returned home. The Ministry of Transport says the toll-free policy has been a success. Wang Xinye looks at how the policy has affected drivers.

Those who set off on the first day of the holiday, may not have been happy with the jams that built up.

85 million travellers hit the road, but all the vehicles had to collect a pass at the toll gates, creating queues more than 30 kilometers long around Beijing.

Most vehicles on expressways in Guangdong province could only move at 30 kilometers an hour.

In central Hubei province, 13,000 vehicles in the provincial capital of Wuhan passed through the city's toll gate on October 1st, double last year's figure. The Ministry of Transport said there were accidents on 24 expressways nationwide, adding to the delays.

Traffic moved more easily when the pass was withdrawn on the fourth day, and on the last day none of the expected jams appeared, thanks to early warnings and prolonged toll-free hours.

"The traffic is much better."

"I had a nice trip and I enjoyed the toll-free policy. I saved about 2000 yuan."

The future of the toll-free policy is still being discussed. While some criticize it for causing traffic jams, others blame the cancellation of the May Day Golden Week holiday for making more people travel in October.