Bangkok Offers Free Public Transport to Combat Air Pollution
In an effort to tackle the alarming levels of air pollution in Bangkok, authorities have announced free travel on public transport for a week starting Saturday. This initiative aims to reduce the number of private cars on the road, a major contributor to the city's poor air quality.
Passengers can enjoy free rides on buses, elevated trains, and underground electric trains throughout the capital. The government will compensate public transport operators for the lost revenue during this period.
This measure comes as Bangkok grapples with its worst air pollution in five years. Over 350 schools were forced to close on Friday due to hazardous levels of PM2.5 pollutants, exceeding the World Health Organization's recommended 24-hour average exposure by over seven times. The air quality index (AQI) reached a staggering 185, classified as "hazardous."
The government is taking several steps to address the pollution crisis. In addition to free public transport, they are limiting construction activities, banning crop burning, and tightening restrictions on vehicles emitting excessive black smoke.
Bangkok's air pollution woes are exacerbated by the seasonal combination of cold winter air, smoke from stubble burning, car fumes, factory emissions, and construction dust. The city has witnessed a rise in smog levels in recent years, with black smoke from vehicles identified as a significant contributor.
On Saturday, Bangkok ranked as the seventh most polluted city globally based on its air quality, trailing only Ho Chi Minh City in Southeast Asia. Air pollution remains a pressing issue in several Asian countries, including India, where the capital city Delhi grapples with hazardous air quality exceeding safe levels by over 15 times.
Cambodia also faces air pollution challenges, with Phnom Penh and three other provinces experiencing "red level" pollution. The government attributes this to climate change, waste incineration, and forest fires.
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