Ecuador’s capital sets driving restrictions to keep 80,000 cars off road during rush hours

Ecuador to restrict number of cars in rush hour

QUITO, Ecuador — The mayor of Ecuador’s capital says his government will impose new driving restrictions to keep 80,000 private cars off Quito’s congested streets during rush hour.

Mayor Augusto Barrera says the city will ban some cars from being on the road during rush hour based on the last digit of their license plates, selecting a different number each day.

If that proves inadequate, the city will expand the program to create “no-drive days.”

Barrera said Monday that the restrictions are necessary to clear gridlock and limit pollution in the Andean city. Some 415,000 cars carrying an average of 1.5 passengers circulate in the city of 2.2 million each day, according to city studies.