In recent days, several news stories have focused on transportation issues poised to affect the upcoming National Day Golden Week holiday. The car rental industry traditionally booms during this period, while increased traffic congestion prompts calls from authorities for people to use public transport. However, it's unlikely that people who can afford to get behind the wheel of their owned or rented car will give up such a privilege, regardless of the money or time they could save by taking other means of transport.

Beijing's Municipal Commission of Transport (BCT) is trying to encourage city residents to refrain from driving before Golden Week and instead take advantage of public transport. Despite the often obvious benefits offered by taking the subway or bus, the commission's call will probably go unanswered.

One might be inclined to rough it out during morning and afternoon rush hours on the subway to shave an hour or so off their commute time, but during the holidays people have less urgency to arrive at their destination on time. From my experience, a family with kids would prefer to spend extra time in heavy traffic rather than squeezed among the strangers in a subway carriage. While getting around the city by car might be a pain in the neck, the only reason one would choose public transport is its favorable travel time and cost.

Moreover, the BCT's efforts to discourage driving sounds somewhat counterproductive in the wake of Ministry of Transport's announcement earlier this month to eliminate highway toll fees for the duration of the holidays. This move is welcome news for motorists, given that toll fees can cost as much as fuel for longer trips.

While the holiday might lure people out of Beijing, it definitely won't decrease the number of cars on major roads connecting popular destinations.

Additionally, the constant uncertainty about the ability to buy train tickets during Golden Week only adds to people's desire to get behind the wheel. While annoying, congested highways are not the end of the world. People tend to see "holiday traffic" as a unique phenomenon that only occurs during Golden Weeks.

Back home in the US, traffic is just as bad in major cities during long holidays. The fact that there are more cars on the roads is not only a sign that more people can afford them, but also that more people don't want to give up their comfort for speed and lower costs. This reflects a society in which people have a growing sense of self-respect and place a growing value on personal space.

Although I don't mind roughing it on the train, I have in fact already booked a rental car to use for my October holiday travels.

But whether I will enjoy the experience and swear by the joy of hitting the road during Golden Week after the holiday remains to be seen.