Paris using odd-even traffic rule to beat pollution

Increasing pollution in the capital of France has led to using the odd-even traffic rule, which had become popular in New Delhi in January 2016. They also made public transportation free on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Authorities barred drivers in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday from using their cars by allowing even numbered registration plate cars, electric or hybrid vehicles or vehicles with more than three people (to encourage carpooling) on Tuesday and odd numbered registration plate cars on Wednesday. 

The rule doesn't impact vehicles used for ride sharing, emergency vehicles like ambulances, police cars, etc or for vehicles used for delivering food or foreign vehicles. 

Making public transport free would cost the city up to €4million.

The rule has been levied on Paris and the neighbouring suburbs after pollution levels spiked. The rule was extended to Wednesday since Airparif Association, an environmental body responsible for monitoring air quality of Ile-de-France, said that pollution would increase on Wednesday. 

After public transport was made free on Tuesday, disruptions were noted in the RER B line until 6 pm local time between Gare du Nord and the airport. The state-owned transport company Régie Autonome des Transports (RATP) said that disruptions will also occur until Wednesday morning between the airport and Aulnay-Sous-Bois. 

On Wednesday, the rail line between Gare du Nord and the airport was not working and no trains were going to be functional before midday, the RATP said.