Beijing municipality has held a hearing on raising public transport fares. 25 representatives attended the discussion. The focus is on two proposals for bus and subway fares. Beijing now has 17 subway lines, covering more than 460 kilometers.

Beijing municipality has held a hearing on raising public transport fares.

The further you travel the more you pay, but the bigger the discount.

That's the basic principle Beijing transport authorities are following in reforming the price mechanism for the city's public transport system.

A newly-announced draft plan shows fares will be charged based on the distance a passenger covers.

For subways, two plans are ready for discussion.

Plan A is for a two yuan base-fare for the first three kilometers, and three yuan between three to six kilometers.

If a passenger travels further, charges would be quite different.

For a distance between six to eighteen kilometers, an additional one yuan will be charged for every six kilometers.

For a distance between 18 to 42 kilometers, one yuan is charged for every 12 kilometers.

For a distance more than 42 kilometers, one yuan will be charged for every 18 kilometers.

There is no top limit for the highest price.

The base fare for Plan B is three yuan per person within the first six kilometers.

The pricing differs in a way similar with Plan A, based on the distance a passenger will cover, with no top limits.

Regular commuters will be offered a discount of up to 50 percent.

There are also two plans available for buses.

In Plan A, a passenger will pay a one-yuan base-fare for the first five kilometers.

An additional one yuan will be charged for each ten kilometers.

For those holding a student card, a 50 percent discount will be offered. There's no discount for ordinary card-holders.

Plan B starts with a two yuan base fare for the first ten kilometers.

One yuan will be charged for every additional five kilometers.

A 75 percent discount will be given to student card holders, and a 50 percent discount for ordinary card holders.

Young children, the elderly and the disabled will be able to travel free of charge.

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