On January 18th, the first two vehicle
inspection stations will begin operation in Tijuana. Sixteen
such stations will be deployed throughout the Baja for
the new Road Testing Program, aimed at removing vehicles
that do not meet mechanical and emission standards set
by the Environmental Protection Department of the government.
José Alfredo Ferreiro Velasco, Secretary for
Environmental Protection, stated that last year, about
180,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases were released into
the atmosphere by the traffic of Tijuana, making it
one of the 10 most polluted cities in the nation.
Velasco indicated that initially there will be a six
month integration period. During this time vehicle and
public carrier owners can review their machines to determine
what needs repairs and improvements. After the six month
period, when vehicle testing at the stations will be
free, the second phase will begin. During this phase,
anyone whose machine does not carry the Ministry of
Environmental logo will be fined for not complying with
regulations.
Velasco said that as of July, when the second phase
begins, all vehicles must submit to testing and there
will be a charge for testing, even if your vehicle carries
a U.S. license plate.
He stressed that personnel carriers must also submit
to the test, because public transportation is the largest
source of pollutants, especially diesel-powered vehicles.
Ferreiro Velasco said the two testing stations, which
will open Wednesday, January 18, will be located on
Pío Pico street, in zona Centro, and oin Cerro
de las Abejas, in Zona Este in Tijuana.