Beijing has lifted the odd-even license plate regulations that reduced traffic on the capital's roads during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

On Sunday, the first day after the traffic restrictions were lifted, the number of subway passengers remained high while the increased number of cars on the roads slowed down public buses.

Our reporter Dan Dan has more.

Reporter:

Beijing's municipal government introduced a restriction two months ago that allowed vehicles to be driven only on alternate days according to their license-plate numbers.

Their goal was to remove 45 percent of cars from the roads in the capital during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The measure was successful in easing the city's traffic congestion and clearing its skies.

Although the restriction has ended, some drivers say they will continue to take the subway now that they have gotten used to it.

"We've been accustomed to taking subways. They've been both convenient and fast. I've decided to resort to subways more while driving my own car less in the future."

Official data show that more than 3.2 million people used the city's subway system on Saturday, the last day of the traffic restriction. It is expected that this figure would remain about the same on Sunday. And during the upcoming week, authorities say the number of passengers taking subways would not decline due to the removal of restrictions.

Meanwhile, the increased number of cars on the roads is slowing down the speed of buses.

One driver of a No. 103 bus says a round-trip on his route now takes 45 minutes more than it had during the past two months.

"I've seen many cars with even-numbered license plates on the roads today. The removal of the traffic restriction policies has definitely had an impact on us."

There have already been some heated discussions over whether the city should continue the traffic restriction to maintain clear skies and have less congestion on the roads.

But some local residents say it is not the privately-owned cars that make a difference.

"I guess private cars used by local residents are comparatively fewer. Instead, it's better to pose restrictions on vehicles operated by government agencies."

It was reported earlier this week that Beijing's municipal government was considering imposing traffic restrictions on state-financed vehicles.

Vehicles operated by government agencies, social organizations financed by the government and state-owned enterprises would be subject to the restriction from Monday to Friday, depending on the last digit on their license plates. For instance, those ending in a 1 or a 6 would be banned from the roads on Mondays, while those with plates ending in a 2 or a 7 would be banned on Tuesdays.

The new regulation is based on a circular issued by the State Council in mid-August. It requires local governments and state-owned organizations to save energy by driving cars less and turning down thermostats on air conditioners.

Shanghai and Shandong implemented the new regulation on state-owned vehicles in mid-August.

Dan Dan, CRI news.