A hearing to discuss the proposed Metro fare rise will be held Sept 16, the municipal development and reform commission announced Monday (Aug 16).
The hearing will be attended by 22 representatives, including consumer representatives, Metro representatives, officials and lawmakers, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.
On Monday, the commission began inviting residents to apply to represent consumers while other representatives will be selected by the commission, the Daily said.
Residents who wish to appear as one of 11 consumer representatives can call 8210-1701 before Friday to apply.
In a survey conducted by the Daily on Monday, 15 of the 20 residents polled said a hearing would probably lead to a Metro fare increase.
Netizens have called on Shenzhen Metro Co. to disclose its accounts, particularly operating costs and payroll.
The company said last month it was considering an increase in fares after it predicted a loss of 22 billion RMB (3.24 billion USD) between 2012 and 2016 as a result of huge infrastructure spending and low-priced tickets. It submitted a new pricing scheme to the commission for review.
The suggestion has triggered heated public debate with many people asking why the public should pay for the company's losses.
Shenzhen Metro chairman Huang Rui said last month that, based on the huge Metro investment, interest and depreciation, ticket prices should cost an average of six yuan, but the existing average price was 2.8 RMB far below the level needed to offset losses.
(By Martin Li)
