BEIJING - Beijing will begin a trial of discounted subway fares at the end of this year to encourage commuters to travel during non-rush hours, according to the operator on Tuesday.

Travel card users can enjoy the discount if their journeys begin at one of 11 stations on the Batong Line and five Changping Line stations. Their journeys must start before 7 a.m. on workdays, Beijing Subway, which runs most of the lines in the capital, announced.

The discount will last until Dec 31, 2016. It is hoped that it will reduce crowds during rush hours, said the company.

A review will be carried out after the pilot period ends, it added.

At the end of this year, the company will shorten train intervals on Line 1, 6, 9, 10 and the Yizhuang, Fangshan and Changping lines by five seconds to two minutes at most during rush hours, said the operator.