Source: CCTV.com

09-27-2007 09:30

Beijing has held a public hearing on reducing subway fares to encourage more people to use public transport.

25 people took part in the hearing, including government officials, transport experts and members of the public. Beijing locals also sat in on the proceedings.

The municipal transportation administration bureau offered two proposals. Lower the price of a one-way ticket to two yuan or adopt a flexible pricing scheme, ranging from two to four yuan according to the distance traveled.

After a healthy discussion, it was no surprise that the first option was preferred by most.

Liu Tongliang, Head of Beijing Transportation Administration Bureau said "The new price will cut fares by a third and benefit about 80 percent of all passengers."

The proposed price cut has been well received by the public. They say the news is great, after always hearing about the rise of food and housing prices.

Zhang Wanheng, Beijing Development & Reform Committee said "The purpose of the price reduction is very obvious. The new prices are designed to get more people out of private cars and into the public transportation system. Public transport is always preferred."

The price cut will cost the local government one billion yuan a year.

With the Olympic Games now less than a year away, authorities in the capital have invested heavily in the city's metro system. Currently, three lines are under construction, and a fourth is scheduled to break ground by the end of the year.

Editor:Xiong Qu