Thirty-four special bus routes linking Games venues will operate during the event, and they'll be free to those who have Olympic tickets.

    To avoid traffic jams, from July 20 to Sept. 20, cars will operate under an alternate-day driving system for odd- and even-numbered license plates. That's expected to take about half of the capital's more than 3 million vehicles off the roads. A test last August found the measure extremely effective in ensuring smooth traffic.

    Many private car owners have also begun to reduce driving as their own contribution to improve the environment.

    "I leave the car at home at least one day a week," said one Beijinger, surnamed Zhang. "Going to work by subway can prevent jams and save resources."

    SECURITY A PRIME FOCUS

    Beijing has 150,000 security guards plus 290,000 volunteers doing patrols. During the event, there will be at least 80,000 guards who are directly assigned to the Games.

    This week, the city will start to deploy security staff at hundreds of checkpoints on road entries to the city to prevent dangerous people or cargo from entering the Olympic host city, according to the municipal public security bureau.

    The subway is also carrying out security checks.

    The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau has said it will offer rewards of up to 500,000 yuan for information on major security threats during the Olympic Games.

    MEDIA SERVICES

    Beijing has made a commitment to ensure press freedom during the Games.

    On Tuesday, three major media services facilities for the Games-- the Main Press Center and the International Broadcasting Center for 21,600 registered reporters, and the 2008 Beijing International Media Center to serve some 5,000 unaccredited reporters, opened.

    Foreign journalists should complain formally if they have any official problems in doing their jobs during the Games, senior leader Li Changchun said on Thursday when visiting the International Media Center.

    The government and the Beijing Olympic organizing committee have issued rules and a reporting guidebook for foreign journalists.

    Li said officials would effectively implement the regulations that ensured foreign journalists would be allowed the freedom to report.