China's move to double metro and bus fares in the capital from the coming month has come under sharp criticism among the netizens.
According to the pricing adjustment plan, the Chinese capital will raise fares on public transport from Dec 28, doubling the current prices on average, state run Xinhua news agency reported.
The minimum price for a subway ride will be 3 yuan (Rs 30) which covers a ride of 6 km, compared with the current flat-fare of 2 yuan (Rs 20) with unlimited transfers.
The plan excludes the capital airport link, now charged at 25 yuan (Rs 250). The subway fare will cost 4 yuan (Rs 40) if the ride is between 6 and 12 km, 5 yuan (Rs 50) for 12 to 22 km and 6 yuan (Rs 60) for 22 to 32 km, it said.
If the subway ride is longer than 32 km, one yuan is charged for every extra 20 km.
For bus passengers, a ride of 10 km will be 2 yuan (Rs 20) and 1 yuan for every further 5 km.
Smart card users will enjoy a 50 per cent discount and student card users 75 per cent discount.
Bus transport in Beijing is currently 1 yuan or most lines with smart card price of only 0.4 yuan.
Some longer bus lines charge passengers according to the length of ride, the news agency said.
The proposed rise came under sharp criticism from people on social media with many expressing anger over the rise.
The number of passengers taking the subway hit 3.2 billion last year in Beijing, an increase of 350 per cent from 2007.
Subsidies jumped from 13.5 billion yuan in 2010 to 20 billion yuan in 2013, Xinhua said.
