Shanghai is expected to issue special traffic cards for the city's elderly this year that will grant them free rides on all buses and subways, the city's traffic bureau said on Wednesday.

People who are 70 or above can use the card for free trips on all buses and the city's nine Metro lines during non-rush hours, Eastday.com reported.

Traffic usually peaks from 7 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 9 pm.

But the cards cannot be used on the city's tourism bus lines and the Maglev train, the report added.

The elderly can still use their social security cards or identity cards to enjoy free transport services before the special traffic cards are issued, the report said.

Shanghai in October doubled fare discounts to one yuan (13 US cents) for passengers using transport cards who switch between Metro lines and buses within 90 minutes.

(Shanghai Daily January 11, 2008)