[Beijing Infrastructure Investment Co., Ltd.: Beijing subway costs 1 billion yuan per kilometer] Beijing Infrastructure Investment Co. says subway construction costs in Beijing have risen year by year. From 2007 to 2009, the cost was 571 million yuan per kilometer; in 2012, 853 million yuan; and in 2013-2014, 1.007 billion yuan. By 2015, Beijing will add 5 more lines, and before 2020 it will add 12 more, bringing the city's rail network to more than 1,000 kilometers and requiring about another 400 billion yuan in investment.
　　[Beijing Rail Transit Command Center: subway loses 5.9 yuan per passenger carried] According to the Rail Transit Command Center, from 2003 to 2013 Beijing invested more than 250 billion yuan and built 351 kilometers of new rail lines. Based on last year's statistics, the cost per passenger trip was about 7.9 yuan, so carrying one passenger results in an apparent loss of 5.9 yuan. Subway overcrowding is severe during peak hours, with four hours of passenger flow accounting for 45% of the whole day's passenger flow; of the city's 17 lines, 13 have load factors above 100%.
　　[Beijing Rail Transit Command Center: suggests giving operating companies fare-floating authority] The Rail Transit Command Center suggested that the government price authority study every 3-5 years whether fares should be adjusted according to the network scale and price level of that year. Alternatively, when approving base fares, it could give operating companies a certain degree of autonomy in price floating, so that companies can set dynamic prices or issue discounted ticket types to attract or balance passenger flow.
　　[Beijing Rail Transit Command Center: suggests starting fare should not be too low] Considering that rail transit is positioned mainly to attract medium- and long-distance passengers, the starting fare should not be set too low. The corresponding prices for the starting and incremental mileage should follow the principle of decreasing rates with distance, with the fare rate falling as the riding distance increases. It is suggested that a distance-based fare system be implemented. For passengers who ride frequently and travel long distances, discounts are suggested.