Make fares flexible: experts(2)

In addition, ticket prices that are set too low would result in inefficient transportation, with people who do not have to take public transport joining the crowd during rush hour and increasing pressure on the system, he said.

Lu Jiehua, a professor at Peking University, said the financial subsidy will prove too much of a burden in the long term, as the increase in fiscal revenue is not keeping pace with the rise in public transportation subsidies.

However, the government should not shift the burden totally to commuters, he said.

Adjustable prices

Zhang suggests a flexible subway fare, based on mileage, timing and different carriages.

"Charging higher fares for those traveling during peak hours could greatly reduce unnecessary journeys and benefit those who have to rush to work or run urgent errands," he said.

In addition, setting up special carriages with higher fares would also reduce crowding in certain carriages and attract more people who would normally drive private vehicles on the road, thus easing the pressure above ground, he said.

"The subway fare should take into account both the fiscal capacity as well as the financial burden on residents," said Xu Kangming, an international consultant on urban transportation.

His view is echoed by Yu Lingyun, a traffic law professor at Tsinghua University, who added that the government should disclose more information on the cost and revenue of bus and subway systems in recent years, while informing the public of current problems.