(LI WEN)

Passengers pass through the security check at the Tian'anmen West subway station in Beijing on December 17.

Traffic authorities in Beijing said on December 18 that it is considering proposals to raise subway fares to help ease crowding during rush hours.

In Beijing, a subway ticket currently costs 2 yuan ($0.33) and allows passengers to ride an unlimited distance, making as many transfers as necessary. The rate, which has been in place since 2007, has long been the lowest in the country.

Beijing, home to 21 million permanent residents, currently has 456 km of subway lines in operation, which transport 10 million passengers daily.