[SH Transit] Shanghai Metro Riders Face Fare Increase of About 1 Yuan On Average

Shanghai Metro fares are set to rise for the first time in more than two decades, with two pricing plans that would push the average cost per ride from 4.23 yuan (63 US cents) to around 5.2 yuan, the city's development and reform commission announced today.

The two options, released as part of a second public hearing notice, differ mainly in how much riders pay to start a trip.

The first keeps the base fare at 3 yuan but shortens the distance it covers from 6 kilometers to 4km, meaning fares climb sooner.

The second raises the base fare itself to 4 yuan but keeps the 6km starting distance unchanged.

Under the current system, unchanged since September 2005, a ride costs 3 yuan for the first 6km, then an extra yuan for every 10km after that.

The commission said fare revenue currently covers only about 55 percent of the actual cost of running the network, which now stretches 906km (including the maglev line and the airport link line), up from 119km in 2005.

An independent audit found the average cost per ride is 7.07 yuan.

Multi-ride pass

To soften the blow for commuters, transit operator Shentong Metro Group is rolling out a new multi-ride pass alongside the fare change.

Riders can buy 45, 60 or 90 rides valid for 30 days, priced at 210, 270 and 390 yuan, respectively – working out to as little as 4.33 yuan per trip. It will be well below the standalone fare under either new plan.

A separate discount, giving 10 percent off once monthly spending on a single payment method passes 100 yuan, will also continue.

The impact varies by distance. A trip from People's Square to Lujiazui, currently 3 yuan, would stay at 3 yuan under the first plan but rise to 4 yuan under the second.

A ride from Hongqiao Railway Station to Nanjing Road E., now 5 yuan, would climb to 7 yuan under the first plan or 6 yuan under the second.

The city's longest trip, from Xicen to Dishuihu, would rise from 15 yuan to 16 yuan under the first plan or stay at 15 yuan under the second.

Officials said about 20 percent of riders would see no change under the first plan, while the rest would pay 1 to 3 yuan more per trip.

Under the second plan, about 60 percent of riders would pay 1 yuan more, with the remainder paying 2 yuan more.

Public feedback

The commission stressed the fare table is not final. Public feedback is open through September 6 by email at fgwjtc@fgw.shanghai.gov.cn or by mail.

The formal hearing will be held on September 7 involving 23 attendees, including 12 randomly selected consumers. A final plan will be announced after the hearing.

Officials also confirmed plans for a "dynamic adjustment mechanism" that would tie future fares to labor costs, electricity prices, the general price level and ridership levels.

Any future change would still require a cost review, public consultation and approval from the city government, and could not outpace growth in residents' average income.

By 2030, Shanghai aims to expand its rail network to 1,260km. The system now carries more than 10 million rides a day, accounting for 77 percent of the city's public transit trips, up from 13.5 percent in 2005.