Two polluted cities in north China's Hebei Province announced a free bus service to help provide transportation while car restrictions are in place to ensure air quality for the military parade on Sept. 3.

Buses on 45 routes in the urban areas of Handan City will be free from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4, the period the city will restrict cars on roads according to odd and even plate numbers, said the Handan Public Transport Company on Thursday.

The company will post which buses are free. Swiping machines and cash boxes on these buses will be closed during the eight-day period. Standby buses will be prepared to tackle possible overcrowding at bus stations, it added.

Tangshan City, an industrial town in Hebei, also offers free buses on 134 routes from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4 when it adopts car restrictions.

Car restrictions are one measure to ensure air quality for the military parade in Beijing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of World War II.

Beijing and its neighboring areas will cut industrial production and suspend work at construction sites to ensure good air during the event.