The Shanghai-Jiading Expressway, or A12, was seriously congested this morning - as predicted - after tolls for buses and cars were removed.

The Shanghai Highway Administration said traffic was bumper to bumper in this morning's rush hour in both directions of the Expressway.

Almost everyone employed by the highway management company, including office staff, were sent to help traffic police at the toll stations but the traffic congestion was bad, said officials with the highway administration.

The expressway is now free of charge for buses. And for private cars, the Downtown-Nanxiang section is now toll-free although traveling on the remainder of the expressway costs five yuan. Commercial freight vehicles still have to pay a toll.

The A12 was the first expressway on the Chinese mainland and opened in late 1988.