Paris makes all public transport free to tackle pollution

All public transport in Paris has been made temporarily free this week in a bid to tackle an air pollution crisis in the French capital.

According to the Airparif agency, which measures air quality, the city is suffering its worst and most prolonged winter pollution for over a decade. This is due to emissions from vehicles and domestic wood fires, as well as near-windless conditions.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo says the images of smog blanketing the capital are proof of the need to reduce vehicle use in the city centre.

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On Tuesday, cars with odd-numbered registration numbers were banned from driving in the city. Yesterday it was the turn of even-numbered cars.

Hybrid or electric vehicles, and those carrying three or more people, are not affected. Drivers who don't comply face a fine of €35 (£30). More than 1,700 motorists were fined for violations on Tuesday.

Half of car drivers were banned again today (odd number plates again this time). For the third day running, Parisians could use all public transport free of charge.

There have been "signs of strain" on the rail network, says The Independent, with one commuter line out of action for most of Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Services were suspended from Gare du Nord station on Wednesday, due to power cuts.

Similar measures have been used by Chinese authorities in Beijing to counter 'red alert' smog, "where the problem can be so acute that schools are closed and some industrial activity is suspended".