PARIS — Pollution levels in Paris have reached a 10-year high, prompting authorities to make all modes of public transport free in the city for the third consecutive day.

In addition, the French capital implemented an ‘odd-even’ scheme that requires all cars of even number plates to commute on one day, and the ones with odd number plates to commute on others. But the scheme was ignored by many residents on the first two days, which resulted in a limited drop in car emissions (between 5-10%). According to the rule, any driver who fails to abide by the scheme faces a fine of up to 73 euros.

To help curb the problem of pollution, Paris has made Velib bike-share Autolib electric cars, metros and bus services free for commuters today.

A similar odd-even scheme will be implemented in Lyon today as pollution across the country worsens.