Economy

Beijing subway fare unchanged: official

(crienglish.com)
Updated: 2010-06-11 13:41

Beijing will continue implementing its current "low-fare policies" on subways and light rails to further cement the positive outcomes it has achieved in encouraging more frequent use of public transportation, Qianlong.com reported, citing the city's economic planner.

The Beijing municipal development and reform commission will try to relieve the urban traffic pressure during peak hours by further improving efficiency of the city's subway system, including shortening waiting intervals and accelerating the construction of subway networks, the report says.

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The remarks came amid previous reports that said some members of the city's top consultative body had proposed a price increase of Beijing's subway fare during certain periods of the day to discourage unnecessary journeys. But the proposal was opposed by some of the citizens, who said an adjustment of the subway fare was not a valid solution to traffic problems.

According to a recent report released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, many Beijing residents spend up to an hour commuting to work every day - a statistic that indicates a pressing need to improve the capital's transportation infrastructure.