$14.6b boosts public transport system

SHANGHAI: The municipal government is earmarking 110 billion yuan ($14.6 billion) to improve its public transportation system, reduce the price of tickets and ease congestion.

The initiative aims to lure an extra 5 million people to use public transport by 2009, which will bring the city broadly in line with other major metropolitan areas around the world.

Currently, more than 12 million people use public transport daily in Shanghai, including taking buses, trolley buses, the subway or taxis, according to the city's transportation administration.