China's Hu says Olympics preparations in "final dash"

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese President Hu Jintao has said preparations for the Beijing Olympics have entered their "final dash" and urged officials to ensure roads, train stations and airports are ready for a torrent of visitors.

Hu made the comments while inspecting transport facilities in Beijing being readied for the Games, which start on August 8, the official Xinhua news agency reported late on Wednesday.

With the city hurrying to finish work on shining new subways and stadiums, China's top leader showed a little impatience in telling officials that the finishing line was in sight.

"Preparations for the Beijing Olympic Games have entered the stage of the final dash," Hu said, in the remarks widely reported in official newspapers on Thursday.

"A good transportation environment is an important guarantee for a successful Olympics.

Beijing, which usually heaves with a population of some 17 million, is one of the most polluted cities in the world and is fast becoming one of the most congested.

As the city readies to hold the Summer Olympics Olympics from August 8-24 and Paralympics from September 6-17, officials have announced a battery of steps seeking to ensure that skies are blue and roads are clear.

Authorities hope the regulations will take 45 percent of the city's 3.29 million cars off the road and reduce emissions from vehicles by 63 percent.

The public transport network, boosted by three new subway lines, is expected to take the strain with longer hours and more services allowing more than 4 million extra passengers to use the system every day.

Hu inspected a newly rebuilt and expanded railway station in the capital's south that will go into official operation on August 1, as well as the cavernous new terminal at the city's airport.

But the Chinese President warned that the facilities serving Games visitors needed to do more than look good.

"We don't just want first class facilities, we also must have first class management and first class service," he said.

(Reporting by Chris Buckley; Editing by David Fox)