On August 11, Guangzhou Municipal Transportation Bureau launched regulations on public transport ticket discounts in Guangzhou, mentioning that metro and bus passengers can enjoy discounts when using transit QR code. Concessionary fares are also set for residents with low income.

According to the regulations, passengers using transit QR code, actual Yang Cheng Tong cards or NFC virtual cards will get the same discounts, and the implementation of discount measures will last for no less than 3 years.

(Photo: Nanfang Daily)

Coverage of public transport discounts

1. Bus: Buses operated by Guangzhou Municipal Transportation Bureau. Ticket discounts on buses running in Huadu, Panyu, Nansha, and Conghua Districts will be set by local authorities.

2. City railway: Metro lines, tramcars, APM lines, and Guangfo lines running in Guangzhou.

3. Water bus: Water buses operated by Guangzhou Port Authority.

Discounts will cover all the public transits mentioned above except intercity railways and special lines such as community buses and customized shuttle buses.

Public transport discounts for special groups

1. Middle school and primary school students in Guangzhou can ride public transport at half price with Yang Cheng Tong Student Cards (羊城通学生卡). Eligible children can take public transits for free, such as one or two children not taller than 1.3 meters (inclusive) are exempted from paying a fare in accompany of another passenger.

2. Active servicemen, disabled servicemen, fire department personnel, and special-care recipients can ride public transport for free with relevant credentials or Yang Cheng Tong Special Cards (羊城通特种卡).

3. Eligible elders (including elders from other cities) and disabled individuals can take public transport at half price or for free with relevant credentials or Yang Cheng Tong Special Cards (羊城通特种卡).

4. Guangzhou residents with low income, including recipients of subsistence allowances, poverty-stricken households, and the especially poor, can enjoy public transport discounts in accordance with relevant regulations.

5. Other special groups designated by Guangzhou government can enjoy public transport discounts stipulated by relevant policies.

Additionally, the regulations also support the low-income groups by limiting the average public transport costs to no more than 4% of the city’s per capita disposable income. It is estimated that passengers who ride public transport frequently (over 15 times a month) will spend no more than 227.68 yuan per month, with the city’s per capita disposable income being 68,304 yuan in 2020.

Guangzhou is now developing the city’s universal transit QR code on Yang Cheng Tong APP. In the near future, residents will be able to use it to take different transport means, including bus, metro, and water bus.

Author | Jerry (intern)

Editor | Monica, Jerry, Abby