Center

Beijing bus system to receive capital injection

By Li Fangchao (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-12-19 14:29

Li said the large number of overlapping bus routes was the result of chaotic competition between bus operators.

"History has proved that a market-oriented distribution of transportation capabilities will not ease traffic," Li said. "So the government plans to develop the public transportation as a commonwealth."

In a related development, the city has issued two kinds of transit cards for bus customers. The first is a monthly pass allowing commuters 140 trips for 45 yuan (US$5.7). The second card is a deposit card that offers a 20-per-cent discount.

A unified bus fare of 1 yuan (12 US cents) will be adopted at the beginning of next year. Cardholders will receive a 60-per-cent discount.

The city's 593 bus lines currently carry 3.78 million people a day.

It is estimated that more than 95 per cent of bus commuters will benefit from the fare-reduction, Li said.

The one-off loss connected with the policy is estimated to be 1.3 billion yuan (US$166 million), Li said.

Starting in February, visitors in Beijing will be able to purchase three short-term tickets that will be valid for three, seven or 15 days.

The city is also planning to build a series of transportation hubs so people will not have to walk long distances to change buses.

Low-fee parking lots will be constructed around the Third Ring Road to encourage people who drive cars to switch to buses to the inner city.

"This is just the first step of our reform. We will make adjustments as we implement the plan," Li said.

By 2010, the utilization rate of public transportation will be raised to 40 per cent in the capital, Li said.