Beijing public transport tickets rise as city no longer subsidizes trips

Global Business

Beijing transport officials say they are raising ticket prices on subways and buses after years of having the world’s cheapest public transport system.

For the last seven years, it has cost just two yuan or 33 cents to go anywhere on the Beijing subway. The new fare will see an average overall increase to between 4.3-4.4 yuan, or 70-72 cents.

It may not always be a comfy ride, but for millions it’s cheap, fast, and reliable.

The Beijing Municipal government says it subsidized the subway network with 3.3 billion yuan or about $540 million last year. Officials hope the higher fares can help the city pay for the network’s continued expansion.

The municipal government has yet to finalize the full details of the new fares, but the days of ultra cheap journeys are certainly coming to an end.

CCTV’s Wu Haojun reports.