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Authorities are offering free bus rides in downtown areas of Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, in a bid to encourage the use of public transport and ease the city's traffic gridlock.

Starting Wednesday, 33 bus routes operating on, and in between, Chengdu's Second and Third Ring roads will be free of charge.

Another 11 free bus routes will be added by the end of this month.

The move comes as local authorities introduce traffic restrictions in the same area the free buses will operate.

As of Monday, the last two numbers on a car's license plate will determine when it is permitted to drive in the downtown areas of Chengdu.

The traffic control measures will be in force between 7:30 am and 8 pm. There are no restrictions on weekends.

The free bus rides and traffic restrictions will be in force until June 30 next year.

Chengdu joins Beijing and a number of provincial capital cities in China by introducing strict traffic control measures.

Local transport authorities said traffic control is easing road congestion in urban areas and reducing traffic pollution.

Chengdu has more than 2.1 million vehicles. Since 2006, the number of vehicles has increased at an annual rate of 20 percent, Chengdu Daily reported.

The construction of new subway lines, road expansion and the building of new road exchanges have further aggravated congestion.

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