Soldier denied intercity fare discount; bus suspended

An intercity bus in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region has been suspended for seven days after a disabled retired military officer was denied a half-price ticket by an attendant, local transportation authorities said on Monday.

According to a notice issued by Hinggan League's transport bureau, the soldier, surnamed Chen, took the bus from Hinggan League's Ulanhot to Baicheng, Jilin province, on Friday.

The attendant, surnamed He, did not believe that Chen was eligible for a half-price ticket based on his retired disabled officer certificate and demanded that he pay full price.

A video posted by Chen on Douyin shows the attendant saying, "Your disabled certificate has nothing to do with me," and asking him to leave the coach if he were unwilling to pay full price.

The attendant has been fired and asked to apologize to the officer, the notice said.

The company that operates the bus has been fined, and the driver's operating license has been given a demerit, the notice said.

According to a guideline issued by the Central Military Commission and the State Council, China's cabinet, active-duty soldiers and disabled officers are eligible for half price fare when they take a train, ferry, long-distance bus or flight.