The Ministry of Transport recently issued a document in which it advances a differentiated highway toll policy for the first time.

This means drivers will pay different charges at different times of the day. During rush hours, for instance, the charge will be increased and it will cost more to use a highway than during off-peak periods. The policy is aimed at easing traffic jams during rush hours and improving the efficiency of highway use.

The problem is whether the move can effectively improve traffic flow as planned. In some regions of China the demand for road use far exceeds supply, which means there will still be traffic jams even if the tolls are increased.

Under such circumstances, people will pay more to use the highways but they will still have to suffer from traffic jams, which will not be a good choice for anyone.

In the long run, reform of the highway toll system should reduce tolls rather than increase them, because high toll puts great economic burden on individuals and enterprises that impact social and economic development.