THE city’s development and reform commission has halted its Metro fare hike plan and is seeking public opinions over the fare-setting mechanism.

The Metro fare adjustment will be considered only after the fare pricing mechanism is decided, according to the draft plan on setting up the pricing mechanism released by the authorities.

In adjusting Metro fare prices, the city will consider Metro operational costs, demand of the national economy and social development, financial subsidies and residents’ income, the draft plan said.

The depreciation, accounting cost and amortization charge in the operational cost can’t be calculated into the fare. The fare hike should not be higher than the increase of residents’ dispensable income, and the average expense of Metro commuters should not exceed 6 percent of dispensable income. The operational loss caused by low pricing will be offset by government subsidies.

The public can view the draft plan at http://fgw.sz.gov.cn/hdjl_1/yjzjs/201906/t20190628_18023915.htm and email suggestions to the Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission at szfgwjgc@fgw.sz.gov.cn by July 10.

The commission released a Metro fare hike plan this February that would have increased the starting price from 2 yuan (US$0.29) to 3 yuan.

In the three options, Metro commuters will pay an additional 22.88 yuan, 35.64 yuan or 7.26 yuan over 22 working days for two trips a day each month if one of the options is decided.

By the end of February, the commission had received 559 letters, most of which objected to the price hike and suggested lowering the cost for long trips and offering discounted fares to encourage more people to take the trains. (Han Ximin)