CRI听力:More Public Opinions Needed in Beijing Subway Ticket Price Change

The opinion poll on a price hike in Beijing subway system concluded on July 20. City dwellers gave feedback using various platforms like Weibo, Wechat, and in an online forum. Experts say the poll provides the authorities in Beijing with an excellent opportunity to be responsive to the public.

Li Dong has the details.

Reporter: According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, the 18 day opinion poll garnered more than 40 thousand opinions via Wechat, Weibo, letter, fax and telephone.

"I think charging according to distance is more reasonable."

"I support raising the price, but just don't raise it too much."

Beijing's rail transit system currently implements a flat fare of 2 yuan, equivalent to 32 US cents, per journey with free transfers on all lines except for its airport express line. The fare is the lowest among all rapid transit systems in China.

Professor Sun Yudong of the School of Public Administration and Policy at China's Renmin University says the large transport subsidies have already placed a big financial burden on Beijing Municipality.

"The subsidy accounts for more than 5 percent of Beijing Municipality's financial expense. This is too high because for similar cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou, the subsidy to the subway only accounts for about 2 percent."

Sun Yu Dong says in the past, opinion polls initiated by the government were like giving the pubic a menu and letting them choose from what was already on the menu, but this time it's different. This time the decision will be made based on a very large sample of diversified public opinion.

"It's not like the opinion poll is initiated just for the sake of collecting opinions. If the government wants to do a better job, they can categorize these opinions and give proper response to the public. Certain interaction is better. So in the end when the final decision is made, the majority of the public can understand and accept your decision."

Liu Xin, assistant to the dean of School of Public Administration and Policy of Renmin University says, appropriate city planning and properly distributing the resources is more important than simply adjusting the subway ticket prices.

"Why the city should concentrate all the best resources together? This can intensify the congestion in the downtown area. City administration can distribute the public facilities and serviced to the neighboring areas of the city and move some organizations and department out of the central area. So the employment opportunities can be spread the nearby areas rather than concentrating only on the central part of the city. I think this is the only solution which can ease the traffic pressure in downtown areas."

According to Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, a subway ticket price adjustment proposal combined with public opinions, finance departments and other experts will be submitted to a hearing at proper time.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.