| Shanghai is very similar to New York City with their overreaching public transportation systems. Although many people who reside in New York indeed do not need a car for work or shopping, they do use one for weekend excursions. With the huge populations in both places, I see a car more like a personal freedom ticket to get away, zipping to a place without the crowds. And save the city for the tourists. As for the people in Shanghai, sure, having your neighbor see you in a shiny BMW, or any other car in China for that matter, can win you a lot of credos. But do so only if your income warrants that expense. Aside from gassing up, maintenace charges and upkeeping, there's a lot of "social" costs, such as your seldom talked to aunt-in-law requests a ride to the airport. And who's going to pay the bridge tolls? Multiply this by the many relatives and friends that you have. Perhaps Shangahi should experiment with a concept like "ZIP" rental car. Patrons can use and pay for a vehicle when they need it, and the charges are a factor of time used and location served. This can cut down the all the costs associated with owning your own vehicle. |
Car Numbers Explode in Shanghai