Fares in Beijing to increase on Dec 28

Beijing residents will soon bid farewell to ultra-low subway and bus fares.

The municipal government announced its final plan for price hikes on Thursday, with the increases to take effect on Dec 28, when four new subway lines open.

Subway fares will increase from 2 yuan (33 cents) to 3 yuan for the first 6 km. Thereafter, fares will be charged according to distance traveled, with no ceiling, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, the city's top planning authority, announced on Thursday.