Quotable

"The number of passengers taking buses in Beijing has dropped by 370 million from 2009 to last year's figure, partly because the subway attracts more passengers with its 2-yuan fare. We suggest the bus fare be one-third of the subway fare."

Nan Tao, publicity director at Beijing Public Transport Holdings, at a news briefing on Tuesday. He said the company is operating with increasing losses despite financial subsidies from the Beijing government.