Shanghai residents are encouraged to take public transport or walk to their destinations on September 22 as part of a campaign designed to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of mass transit.

The event coincides with World Car-free Day. It is part of a weeklong nationwide effort that begins on September 16 to boost public transport's role in saving energy and protecting the environment.

On Shanghai's no-car day - a Saturday - residents will be asked to avoid driving private cars within the Inner Ring Road, the city's traffic authority said on August 28.

Compliance is not mandatory, but in some areas, driving will be banned outright. Cars will be prohibited from the central parts of Pudong's Lujiazui, mainly within a circle formed by Dongchang Road, Yincheng Road M. and Pudong Road S., from 7am to 7pm. Shiji Avenue will be excluded.

The 3.3-kilometer section of Nanjing Road between Xizang Road M. and Huashan Road, and the 3.27-kilometer stretch of Huaihai Road between Xizang Road S. and Changshu Road will also be blocked for use by private cars.

Shanghai is among 106 cities in China to answer the call from the Ministry of Construction to encourage commuters to take public transport or ride bicycles on no-car day. Other cities will join Shanghai in banning cars from some downtown areas.

To help Shanghai residents save some shoe leather, more public transit vehicles will be sent onto the roads to help commuters cope with no-car day.

"About 10 percent to 15 percent more buses will be put into use," city government spokeswoman Jiao Yang said.

Government officials have been asked to set an example by abandoning their cars for the day, she said. Leaders of state-owned enterprises were also urged to take a lead role.

"We hope everyone in Shanghai will contribute a little for more environmentally friendly living conditions," Jiao said.

On September 16, several residents will be chosen to take a trial ride on the new Metro Line No. 8, which is scheduled to open to the public by the end of this year. It will link the northern Yangpu District with the downtown and Pudong New Area.

On the following day, several top drivers and conductors will serve on a bus line on Huaihai Road. Some buses powered by alternative energy sources such as super-batteries and dimethyl-ether fuel will be on display on September 18. Commuters can also enjoy free rides on the city's first super-battery buses, which run on Line 11, the same day.