Subway fare hike must consider users_美文_趣味英语-查字典英语网

Subway fare hike must consider users

Liu Xiaoming, head of the Beijing Commission of Transport, said, "The pricing of subway fares will draw on international experiences and domestic experiences from Shanghai and Guangzhou, and will come to a conclusion before public hearings," he said.

Zhang Jiandong, head of the Beijing Commission of Development and Reform, said the government would balance the city's financial burden with issues of public capacity.

"It's not all about a rise in price, but also the scientific allocation of the city's public transportation network, the security and comfort of the metro," he said.

According to the commission, the rise in fare price will also help address potential safety loopholes and reduce the chances of malfunction and breakdown.

It said much of the city's aboveground transportation, including more than 800 routes covering a total of 18,000 km, are left unused, either because of slow speeds or poor punctuality.

Questions:

1. What is Beijing’s current flat-rate subway fare?

2. How many passengers do Beijing’s subway lines carry daily?

3. Who is head of the Beijing Commission of Transport?

Answers:

1. 2 yuan.

2. 10 million.

3. Liu Xiaoming.

About the broadcaster:

Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.