Beijing, Amap sign agreement to ease traffic jam, promote green transportation

Beijing transport commission signed a strategic cooperation agreement to build a green transportation service platform with the domestic navigation company Amap on Monday. 

Amap, which was acquired by Alibaba in 2014, has shifted from a mapping application for mainly drivers to all travelers, especially the ones who use public transportation. 

Based on big dada provided by Beijing municipal government, the new platform covers buses, subways, walking, cycling and driving. 

The app will calculate the time it will take to reach the destination. Moreover, it can tell how crowded subway will be with the help of data from authorities.

Currently, the app has covered more than 95 percent of bus lines in Beijing. People can see via the app the location of buses and how many minutes it will take for the next bus to arrive. 

Liu Zhenfei, president of Amap, said it's the shared goal of the city government and the company to encourage more green transportation. 

"We aim to provide service to 80 percent of commuters taking public transportation by the year 2022," he said. 

Cheng Shidong, official from the transportation research center with the National Development and Reform Commission, said the new platform is the first of its kind in the country, which has set a good example. 

On Wednesday, Beijing Emergency Medical Center announced jointly with Amap that the latter will offer special guidance for emergency ambulance in Beijing to shorten the travel time.

The drivers of vehicles within 1.5 km of ambulance will be informed through Amap to make way for the ambulance.