Rome bans traffic for 2 days, Milan for 3, in smog emergency

(ANSA) - Rome, December 24 - Rome Commissioner Francesco Paolo Tronca on Thursday decided to ban traffic in the capital for six hours on Monday and Tuesday in a bid to reduce pollution levels that are above the legal limit. Private vehicles will be banned from travelling in the city's Fascia Verde (Green Zone) from 10:00 to 16:00 on those days. Milan on Wednesday announced it was adopting a similar ban for three days next week, from Monday to Wednesday. The towns in the Milan metropolitan area are also taking part.
    Low pollution vehicles, such as hybrids, methane-powered, LPG or Euro 6 cars and Euro 2 scooters, are exempt from the Rome ban.
    Tronca's order also limits heating in homes and offices to 18 degrees centigrade. On the days of the ban a 1.50-euro ticket to use buses, trams and the metro in Rome will last all day instead of the usual 90 minutes. Rome has tried on several occasions to reduce smog levels by banning cars with number plates ending in an odd number from travelling on one day and then banning those ending with an even number the next, but the results have been disappointing. The situation has been made worse by a lack of rain in recent months.