Transportation fares in Beijing are likely to increase as citizens voiced their support for the local government's move in a public hearing held on Oct. 28.
Due to the rapidly rising number of passengers, Beijing officials now think that an increase in the transportation fares is needed after the prior increase last seven years.
Two plans are already prepared for the bus and subway ticket fees, but the final costs will only be decided after the public hearing.
The transportation fares will be changed annually. Every five years, the fares will be adjusted according to several factors which include income growth; economic growth, fuel charges and other circumstances.
During the public hearing, at least 10 of the 25 participating residents have voiced out that they fully support the fare increase. Other participants who did not comment will still have the opportunity to express their opinion until the end of the public hearing.
Those who supported the fare increase suggested that the starting fee for a subway single journey ticket would be 3 yuan and the highest rate would be 9 yuan. For the bus tickets, the starting price would be 2 yuan and could go as high as 9 yuan. A half discount would be given for bus tickets.
According to a survey by Duan Shuzhen, 70 percent of 310 residents living in Beijing agree with the fare plan.
The public hearing was attended by Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference deputies, political advisors, top legislature from the city and 25 representatives from the National People's Congress.
To be published in a couple of weeks, the results of the public hearing will affect the final decision on the fare increase.