First Taxis, Now the Metro: Subway Riders Could Face Fare Hikes

Crystal Li | Jul 17, 2013 3:00 pm | 6 comments | 2214 reads

Now that taxi "reform" has been completed with the raising of flag fall and per-kilometer fares, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transportation on Beijing Transportation Industry Economy has begun examining whether or not it is feasible to continue the “2 Kuai” era of the Beijing Metro.

First, a bit of history. There was a time when the Beijing Metro, then only two lines that didn't have numbers but were distinguished as "the East-West line" (now Line 1) and "the Ring line" (now Line 2), cost only five mao per ticket. The two lines only connected in one place. It was still fast and convenient, at least if you were going were it went. When lines began expanding, the benefit of being faster seemed like something for which public transportation officials could charge a premium, and so subway tickets went from five mao to three yuan, making it three times more than the price of bus tickets.

However, after significant outcry, the price came down to RMB 2 per ride, which is still, frankly, the best deal around. It may be crowded but it's fast, cheap and environmentally friendly. This change presented only one problem: the low, all-you-can-ride fare left city transportation finances short billions of RMB every year, hence the current investigation into a possible fare rise, or distance-based pricing, already long in practice in other Asian cities, including Hong Kong and Bangkok.

Feedback on Weibo has been mixed. User @北京司机小王 said “We’re asked not to get our own cars, then the taxi fares goes up, now subway price is going up, rent is always getting higher, do we have any choice?” Another user, @一品香玉痕, said “ I think at least for those who take the subway for more than just a few stops—they always take the subway all the way from the suburbs to downtown—for these people, we should charge more, two kuai is too little for them.”

What do you think? Leave us a comment in the section below, telling us whether you think Beijing's best bargain should remain, or should long-distance riders start to pay their share.

Photo: NBC Washington

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hanzhuang's picture hanzhuang Submitted by Guest on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 12:22

The three kuai tickets, plus an additional two kuai transfer ticket, continued more or less right up until line 5 opened. Five kuai down to two and it hasn't changed since October 2007 (as best as I can recall)! Even though my current subway commute is long, I would be in favor of a distanced based fare rate. The tricky part might be assigning routes for passengers that involve multiple transfers with several options.

mtnerror's picture mtnerror Submitted by Guest on Thu, 07/18/2013 - 09:56

The title suggests an increase is bad. What, taxi fare should continue to remain unchanged since 2006? Give me a break...everything else costs more, why is it unreasonable to pay more for transport? Regarding the subway, it wasn't all that long ago that fares were based on distance. As recently as 2008 from what I rememeber. The subsidy associated with subway fare is probably harder to come by in these economic times so it would only make sense to have passengers (as opposed to taxpayers) pay more of their fair share. Taxis are distance-based, as are toll roads...why not underground transport as well? High time.

Kilik's picture Kilik Submitted by Guest on Wed, 07/17/2013 - 20:28

The subway should be free. Raise a bit taxes on salaries. People living outside BJ pay for their ride unless they work and pay their taxes in BJ. More lines implemented and cars banned withing the 3rd ring. That my friends would bring a better quality of life in BJ.

"Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right."

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