VIP Metro service stirs controversy
By Li Qian |
July 7, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
COMMUTERS will be able to opt for VIP service at twice the regular price to ensure a seat on Metro Line 11 in Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong in Guangdong Province, triggering widespread controversy.
Line 11, which is still under construction, will offer "high-end service," including VIP carriages with luggage racks, to ensure passengers from out of town have a pleasant journey, said Zhao Penglin, head of the city's Metro construction office.
Two extra carriages will be added to Metro trains for the VIP riders, Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.
A one-day pass with unlimited rides will also be offered, he added.
However, the VIP plan has been widely seen as infeasible and some have even called it "ridiculous."
Subway lines serve the public, not just certain groups, because they are part of key infrastructure projects, said Zhu Xuedong, a commentator for China National Radio.
He added it's "unrealistic" to ensure the pleasure of some commuters when the whole point of a subway network is to ensure sufficient transportation capacity.
"It's ridiculous that many people struggle to squeeze onto the trains and then you set up VIP carriages," he told China National Radio. "You can drive a car or call a taxi if you want VIP service."
Zhu added that Shenzhen authorities are using public resources inappropriately and are basically trying to raise ticket prices under the guise of offering so-called superior service.
Many argued that most commuters will be reluctant to pay twice the price to gain a seat.
Others even expressed concern that the policy will deepen conflicts between the poor and wealthy in the metropolis.
However, others said it might encourage some private car owners to take the subway, which would be better for the environment.
The Hong Kong Metro Mass Transit Railway, the only profitable subway operator in the world, recently started offering VIP service.
Line 11, which is still under construction, will offer "high-end service," including VIP carriages with luggage racks, to ensure passengers from out of town have a pleasant journey, said Zhao Penglin, head of the city's Metro construction office.
Two extra carriages will be added to Metro trains for the VIP riders, Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.
A one-day pass with unlimited rides will also be offered, he added.
However, the VIP plan has been widely seen as infeasible and some have even called it "ridiculous."
Subway lines serve the public, not just certain groups, because they are part of key infrastructure projects, said Zhu Xuedong, a commentator for China National Radio.
He added it's "unrealistic" to ensure the pleasure of some commuters when the whole point of a subway network is to ensure sufficient transportation capacity.
"It's ridiculous that many people struggle to squeeze onto the trains and then you set up VIP carriages," he told China National Radio. "You can drive a car or call a taxi if you want VIP service."
Zhu added that Shenzhen authorities are using public resources inappropriately and are basically trying to raise ticket prices under the guise of offering so-called superior service.
Many argued that most commuters will be reluctant to pay twice the price to gain a seat.
Others even expressed concern that the policy will deepen conflicts between the poor and wealthy in the metropolis.
However, others said it might encourage some private car owners to take the subway, which would be better for the environment.
The Hong Kong Metro Mass Transit Railway, the only profitable subway operator in the world, recently started offering VIP service.
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