Beijing public transport fare rise gets green light

Representatives voice support for plan that includes discounts for frequent users

Beijing will likely increase the price for subway tickets to a starting price of 3 yuan ($0.49), the first price hike in seven years, while bus fares will go up to 2 yuan after representatives voiced their support and suggestions at a hearing on Tuesday afternoon.

The 25 representatives, including consumers, employees in bus and metro companies, officials in traffic bureaus and traffic experts, all agreed with the price increase, and mostly favored the second plan of price adjustments.