Shanghai has published its pricing scheme for the city's rail transport network, with the starting price set at 4 yuan (55 US cents) for all routes, including the to-be-opened Airport Link Line.

Here is how the price for suburban railway lines is calculated:

If the fare per ride is equal to or less than the starting fare (4 yuan), it will be charged at 4 yuan;

If it exceeds the base fare, the fare will be calculated using the formula:

For lines with a maximum speed of 160 km/h or more, the per km rate is 0.45 yuan; for the lines with a maximum speed of lower than 160 km/h, the per km rate is 0.37 yuan.

The 160 km per hour is the speed that separates suburban railways from rail express lines in Shanghai—the two systems that make up the city's suburban rail network.

The Chongming Line currently under construction is a rail express line, with a designed maximum speed of 120 km/h.

In addition, there are five suburban railway lines—the Airport Link Line, Nanhui Line, Jiamin Line, Nanfeng Line and Demonstration Zone Line, which have a maximum speed of 160 km/h.

The Airport Link Line is expected to be operational by the end of this year, and will adopt the 0.45 yuan/km rate once it is opened.

The pricing plan was published in a notice jointly released by the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission and the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Transport on Nov 15.

The pricing scheme was adopted taking into account operational costs, affordability for passengers, and sustainability, according to the notice.

Source: Shanghai Observer