张家口一地拟取消老年人免费乘公交？官方回应：在积极协调

Core Viewpoint - Zhangjiakou Tongtai Transportation Group's Chicheng Public Transport Company announced plans to cancel senior citizen bus fare subsidies starting in 2025 due to financial difficulties, but later clarified that the cancellation is not finalized and senior cards can still be used after April 1, 2025 [1][3] Group 1: Company Operations - The Chicheng Public Transport Company is a major operator of the public transport system in Chicheng, responsible for bus services in Zhangjiakou city and surrounding counties [1] - The company has been facing operational challenges, leading to the proposal to cancel the senior card program, which allows seniors over 70 to ride for free [1][3] Group 2: Financial Aspects - The annual government subsidy for senior citizens' free bus rides is approximately 360,000 yuan, but there are discussions about changing the payment frequency from annual to monthly or quarterly, which has caused confusion [3] - The overall passenger volume for public transport in China has been declining since 2014, with a 2.41% average annual decrease in passenger traffic from 2014 to 2019, and only 416.3 billion passenger trips completed in 2023, half of the 2014 figure [5][7] Group 3: Industry Trends - The decline in passenger numbers and revenue for public transport companies is attributed to the rise of alternative transportation options like shared electric vehicles, leading to a decreased "self-sustaining" capacity for these companies [4][7] - Despite the drop in ridership, bus fares have remained stable, typically between 1 to 3 yuan, while operational costs have increased due to factors like the purchase of new energy buses and rising wages [7] - The low population density in county towns limits the efficiency of public transport systems compared to urban areas, where higher density supports more effective public transport solutions [7] Group 4: Alternative Solutions - Addressing the transportation needs of seniors does not necessarily require government subsidies; alternative solutions like customized bus services could be implemented to better meet their needs [8] - Some cities are exploring differentiated discount policies for specific groups, such as providing free rides for seniors over 80 or low-income individuals, while others may pay reduced fares during peak hours [8]