Carpooling to become a legal possibility

Beijing plans to provide guide rules on how to engage in private carpooling by the end of this year. Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport said Sunday that the possibility of carpooling is under review and has yielded preliminary results.

Recently, details have emerged related to the support of a free carpool system, and the sharing of fees and operating expenses.

The city's assistance plan will encourage free carpooling through measures such as appraising and electing "car pool stars", and awarding websites that make achievements in promoting carpooling. Meanwhile, the sharing of expenses will not be considered as part of an illegal operation. However, those who operate a carpool illegally in the name of carpooling will be punished in accordance with the law.

Private carpooling is a common phenomenon. The study and formulation of the guidance on small carpooling has been incorporated in the Beijing Work Program on Relieving Traffic Pressure 2013.