Since many government vehicles are now being used on alternate days, why not also reduce their numbers, says an article on the website of Xinhua News Agency. The following is an excerpt:

    As the world is going through an economic crisis, more and more local governments are cutting their expenditure on the use of vehicles and saving on energy consumption.

    It seems the scheme has achieved some benefits. Starting from September 1, government vehicles in Shandong province stopped being used for one day a week based on their license plate numbers.

    The province's coal mine safety administration said its 15 vehicles traveled 13,000 kilometers less than before in the past three months, saving almost 8,000 yuan ($1,176) in fuel consumption.

    This has helped cut some expenditure, but it has also added to management costs.

    In fact, a better way to save money is to reduce the number of government vehicles and related staff.

    Alternative day car use is just a superficial cure. It cannot cure the disease of excessive official vehicles. Only by reducing their numbers and strictly monitoring expenditure earmarked for the purchase of government vehicles can the disease be cured once and for all.