China Coal-Fired Economy Dying of Thirst as Mines Lack Water

Bloomberg: "About half of China’s rivers have dried up since 1990 and those that remain are mostly contaminated. Without enough water, coal can’t be mined, new power stations can’t run and the economy can’t grow. At least 80 percent of the nation’s coal comes from regions where the United Nations says water supplies are either “stressed” or in “absolute scarcity.”"

Electric vehicles? Not a solution.

Beijing bikeshare is free for first hour, helps people get to metro

chinadaily.com.cn: "The time Lu spends commuting has been cut by almost by a third with the greater allocation of public bicycles throughout the city, with one bicycle rental station in the community where Lu lives, in Chaoyang district. "Now I ride a rental bike from my community to Liangmaqiao subway station, where I return the bike and take the subway," Lu said. "You can return the bike right away and don't need to worry it will be stolen."
As more public rental bicycle stations are set up throughout the city, Lu said his family sometimes rents a bicycle for grocery shopping as well. As long as he returns the bike within an hour, the use is free of charge.
The commission said the bikes are free to rent for the first hour, then are charged at 1 yuan (16 cents) for each additional hour. The maximum expense for a full day is no more than 10 yuan but people can only rent a bike for a maximum of three days each time."

China losing money and people in floods. Raising #publictransit fares in Beijing will mean more cars and more CO2.

Transport fares should benefit the public interest - OP-ED - Globaltimes.cn: "Some complain that one of the rare privileges of Beijing residents may soon be taken away. Experts are also divided.

Beijing residents have been enjoying these low prices for almost six years. The city had invested in public transportation before the 2008 Olympic Games so as to promote public transport and avoid traffic headaches. The policy has continued since then as the city witnessed a growing population over the following years."

'via Blog this'

Traffic congestion choking Beijing. BPT gets creative, but #freetransit would work better

Globaltimes.cn: "The customized buses would guarantee seats for every passenger and take passengers directly to their destinations on designated bus routes, BPT said. The buses also have Wi-Fi, it added."

Excellent article about the history of #publictransit in Shanghai

The push for passengers - SHANGHAI - Globaltimes.cn: "More than two decades after Russia opened the world's first tram service in 1880, the British-owned Shanghai Electric Construction Co was given permission to run a tram service in the former International concession in 1905. Workers began laying tracks in April, 1906, installing overhead wires and building terminals and depots. In 1907, the company imported its first batch of four-wheeled single-deck trams from Loughborough, England."

China floods. We need dramatic action on #climate. Let's abolish the private auto.

AFP: China rain, landslides leave 9 dead, 62 missing: "BEIJING — Heavy rain in southwest China has left at least nine dead and 62 missing, officials reported Thursday, after landslides crushed homes, bridges collapsed, and dozens of villages were cut off."

MACAU DAILY TIMES - Free electric shuttle bus to Cotai

MACAU DAILY TIMES - Free electric shuttle bus to Cotai: "In order to promote the use of electric buses in Macau, which will reduce emissions, the government begun a trial operation of free electric shuttle buses today. The buses connect the public housing estate of Edificio do Lago in Taipa with the resort district Cotai Strip, and will run between 6:30a.m. and 5p.m."

'via Blog this'

Shanghai Metro considering free rides, rebates to beat rush

Shanghai Daily: "The Metro operators are considering offering free rides between 5am and 6am every day, and half-price tickets between 6am and 7am like in Melbourne, said Ji Baohong, a local legislator.

"It is estimated that some 3,000 passengers can avail of the free and discounted tickets before 7am everyday, which is nearly the capacity of three fully loaded trains," Ji said."