Offices may set their own hours for Games

By Li Xinran  |   2008-7-2  |     ONLINE EDITION

OFFICE workers in Beijing might not have to work nine to five during the Olympic Games - the municipal government plans to introduce flexitime to ease traffic congestion, Beijing News reported today.

Beijing has a launched odd-even number plate regulation to reduce the number of vehicles on the streets but the capital city's public transport system will still have to handle an extra 4 million commuters everyday during the Games.

The flextime policy is awaiting approval but will be implemented soon, said Zhou Zhengyu, vice director of Beijing's traffic committee.

Businesses will be able to choose their own hours to suit, Zhou said.

As most of the major events are at night, the government has suggested businesses plan earlier than normal schedules, Zhou said.

Video conference and online office work are also being encouraged, Zhou added.

Special lanes linking the Olympic venues will be established from July 20 to September 20. Some major routes will be open for Games staff 24 hours a day, while others will operate between 6am and 12am.

Chang'an Street, the second, fourth and fifth ring roads and the airport expressway will have special laneways, Zhou said.