Han Ximin
Metro companies could consider offering discounted fares during off-peak hours or introduce monthly cards to relieve costs for commuters but there was no schedule for a discount plan, said Zhao Penglin, head of the city's railway transport and construction office.
He said Metro companies were authorized to determine their own fares on the condition they did not exceed a price ceiling set by government.
According to a new fare schedule released last week, the initial price is 2 yuan (US$0.29) for the first 4 kilometers. A passenger has to pay an additional 1 yuan for each 4 kilometers section between 4 and 12 kilometers and an additional 1 yuan for every 6 kilometers between 12 and 24 kilometers. A distance of more than 24 kilometers would cost an additional 1 yuan for every 8 kilometers.
"Calculating the fare by distance instead of stations is more reasonable because Metro stations are not distributed evenly like those on Metro Line 1. It is not fair for passengers to pay the same fare for different distances they cover," said Zhao.
After the opening of the new lines, disabled people, military personnel -- retired or active -- and the elderly above age 65, children below 1.2 meters or aged below 6, can ride for free. Children between 1.2-1.5 meters or aged between 6 and 14 years are entitled to half-price fares.
Zhao said it was hard to estimate the number of passengers who would use Metro Line 2 after the first phase operned because most of the land along the Metro Line 2 was still being developed.
The city transport commission has called for public understanding for the limited number of buses connecting Metro stations. It also suggested residents stagger the hours of commuting to relieve pressure on public transport.
