For the occasion of the one-year countdown to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Mr. Yu Chunquan, Director of the Transportation Department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) spoke with the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games about transportation during the Olympic Games.

Transportation Department to supply Games-time transportation services

During the Olympic Games, an Olympic transportation coordination commission will oversee both Games-related and society-wide transportation. The transportation coordination commission will be made up of members from relevant departments including the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Transportation Administration Bureau, the Beijing Municipal Roadway Administration Bureau, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, and other relevant national-level transportation bureaus.

The BOCOG Transportation Department will also be a part of the Olympic transportation coordination commission.

The BOCOG Transportation Department's main responsibilities will be to provide Games-time transportation services for the Olympic athletes, media, International Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees of the various nations and regions (NOCs), and other registered personnel. It will also coordinate and organize venue transportation.

Transportation services for Games to meet international standards

Regarding the program of transportation services for the Olympic Games, Mr. Yu expressed that the International Olympic Committee has both well-rounded experience in terms of organizational management and a mature service program. BOCOG will fulfill the promises it made as a host city and adhere to international practices.

Different customers groups; different needs

"The requirements of every customer group are different," explained Mr. Yu, with regard to the transportation service needs of the 50,000 people during Games-time. Take, for example, athletes and their accompanying officials. They would need a large-capacity shuttle bus as part of their service requirements.

Mr. Yu said that we would need to provide different levels of service to meet the various needs of the different customer groups.

Olympic host and co-host cities have the same transportation goals

The host and co-host cities will have the same goals in terms of transportation services. The transportation services for internal departments of the co-host cities (services for registered personnel) will be implemented according to BOCOG's standards.

"Good Luck Beijing" will be a good drill

The "Good Luck Beijing" sport event series is currently in the midst of rolling out. The series will provide a rare opportunity as a drill for the systems and personnel that will be involved in transportation services during the Olympic Games.

Olympic Games volunteer drivers will have to work hard

Volunteer drivers will be providing services during the Olympic Games. Mr. Yu believes that the volunteer drivers will fully demonstrate the spirit of contribution. "The Games-time volunteers will really have to work hard. They won't be allowed in the venues. They'll be on the road the entire day, and they'll be providing services for almost two months."

Details of Games-time transportation in the works

There will be limited or modified road access during the Olympic Games. As is the custom, special routes for Olympic-use only will be put in place, which non-Olympics related vehicles will be restricted from accessing.

While the details have yet to be finalized, measures will be taken to alleviate the inconveniences caused by the access-restricted routes. During the Olympic Games, there will be more public transportation options for citizens to facilitate their commute.

An abundance of legacies in transportation

For a metropolis that is growing more international by the day, transportation is an issue that requires definite attention. Mr. Yu believes that the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will have a positive impact on transportation services and management in this city. "Through our hard work, these Olympic Games will undoubtedly leave behind an abundance of legacies in terms of transportation," said Mr. Yu.

Mr. Yu expressed that, after the Olympic Games, transportation in Beijing will see major improvements in at least three areas, including rapid development in the transportation base of Beijing as well as improved transportation service levels and management skills.