In order to improve the service capacity of urban public transport and promote the sustainable development of the public transport industry, Dalian Development and Reform Commission will hold a hearing on the reform of urban public transport fares on May 22nd. This reform takes into account factors such as enterprise operating costs, social affordability, traffic supply and demand, etc., performs procedures such as pricing cost supervision and examination according to law, and puts forward two sets of schemes to solicit opinions from the society.
Why to reform
The current fare system in Dalian has been in use since 1993. The labor cost, depreciation of new car purchase and maintenance cost of public transport enterprises have continued to increase, and the passenger flow and ticket revenue have decreased year by year.
According to statistics, since 2015, bus enterprises have optimized and increased 70 lines, added 564 stations, extended the length of the lines by 160 kilometers, and replaced 3,525 new cars. The proportion of new energy and clean energy buses in the central city and the coverage rate of the 500-meter service range of bus stops have all reached 100%. At the same time, however, the annual passenger volume of urban public transportation decreases by 35%, and the annual passenger revenue decreases by 41%, so the public transportation operation faces serious difficulties. The ability of public transport enterprises to ensure the safety of urban public transport and better meet the basic travel needs of the public is gradually weakening.
Which areas are involved
The reform covers Zhongshan District, Xigang District, Shahekou District, Ganjingzi District and High-tech Zone.
The reform adheres to the public welfare attribute of the public transport industry, while ensuring the sustainable development of the public transport industry and implementing the principle of low fares.
How to prepare to reform
Option 1: Pricing based on line length
1 yuan for lines below 5 kilometers (included)
Lines over 5 kilometers will be adjusted to 2 yuan
Among them, two super-long lines (No.1101 and No.1022, both of which are more than 35 kilometers long) continue to be priced in sections, that is, the starting price is 2 yuan/person-time, and the section points (Xinzhaizi and No.25 Middle School respectively) are added to 1
yuan/person-time, capped at 3 yuan.
Pearl Card can enjoy a unified 9.5% discount.
Option 2: Unified benchmark fares
All lines implement a benchmark price of 2 yuan
Among them, two super-long lines (No.1101 and No.1022, both of which are more than 35 kilometers long) continue to be priced in sections, that is, the starting price is 2 yuan/person-time, and the section points (Xinzhaizi and No.25 Middle School respectively) are added to 1 yuan/person-time, capped at 3 yuan.
10% off Pearl Card for lines below 12 kilometers (inclusive).
9.5% off Pearl Card for routes over 12 kilometers.
Both schemes retain special group concessions: 40% discount for student cards, 30% discount for minimum living allowance students, 50% discount for senior cards aged 60-69, and free bus for the elderly aged 70 and above, the disabled, revolutionary disabled soldiers, retired cadres, people's police officers, active servicemen, retired military cadres, retired military noncommissioned officers, fire rescue personnel, survivors of martyrs, etc. who are disabled in the line of duty; If the state, province and city have other provisions on preferential policies, the relevant provisions of the state, province and city shall be implemented.
How to proceed after the reform?
After the fare adjustment, Scheme 1 will affect 153 lines (annual passenger flow of 390 million passengers), and Scheme 2 will involve 165 lines (annual passenger flow of 390 million passengers). After the reform, the fare will be basically the same as that of other cities in the province, but the operation of enterprises still needs financial subsidies. The Municipal Development and Reform Commission has completed the cost supervision and examination, and the unit passenger cost in the past three years is 2.57 yuan/person-time.
At present, this reform is being promoted according to legal procedures. On April 21st, the first hearing announcement was issued, and on May 8th, the main points of the reform plan and the list of participants were announced. After the hearing results are deliberated, the final plan will be formed. It is expected that after the implementation of the new fare system, the operating conditions of public transport enterprises will be effectively improved and safer and better travel services will be provided for citizens.
