The Tianjin municipal government is lowering transportation costs on select agricultural products to combat rising prices for producers. It has even slashed tolls on the city's expressways.
This express-way toll station in Tianjin is an important passageway, with nearly 3,000 trucks passing through every day. Almost 400 of those are transporting fresh farm produce. Many truck drivers are quite surprised to find out they don't need to pay the toll. This is part of a new local government initiative that's been in place since November 25th.
Liu Jun, one driver said "I drove all the way from Jiangxi province, and am on the way to Beijing. I was very surprised to discover the toll of 190 yuan has been cut."
Trucks carrying farm produce can enjoy toll-free travel on 13 expressways in Tianjin. It's expected transport costs will be reduced by 100 million yuan, within a year.
Wu Bingjun, Vice Director of Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Highways said "It shows the government is concerned about people's daily lives. The agricultural issues are very important. According to our calculations, 100 million yuan worth of toll fees will be eliminated in a year."
The toll-free policy applies to selected farm produce. The Tianjin municipal government has expanded the list of applicable products, to include potato, peanuts and corn.
