On October 23, Xinhua News Agency reported that Premier Li Qiang recently signed a State Council order to unveil the “Regulations on Urban Public Transport” (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”), which will take effect on December 1, 2024.
The primary goal of the Regulations is to promote the high-quality development of urban public transport, enhance service levels, ensure safety, better meet the basic travel needs of the public, and contribute to urban modernization. The Regulations consist of six chapters and 55 articles, outlining several key provisions.
First, the Regulations clarify the development direction. They establish that urban public transport efforts must uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China, adopt a people-centered approach, acknowledge the public welfare nature of transport services, and implement a strategic priority for urban public transport. The aim is to create a safe, convenient, efficient, green, and economical urban public transport system.
Second, the Regulations place a firm emphasis on accountability. They designate urban people’s governments as the primary responsible entities for the development of urban public transport, tasked with strengthening organizational leadership, ensuring supportive measures, enhancing safety supervision, and coordinating major issues.
Third, the Regulations enhance development support. They include provisions to improve planning control, ensure land use requirements, establish a sound financing mechanism, refine the fare system, implement subsidy policies, and secure priority passage for public transport.
Fourth, the Regulations aim to optimize operational services. They require urban public transport companies to improve internal management, promptly disclose operational service information, enhance scheduling management, establish a complaint resolution mechanism for service quality, and boost overall service quality and efficiency.
Fifth, the Regulations strengthen safety management. They clearly assign the responsibility for operational safety to urban public transport companies; passengers are required to adhere to riding norms, and relevant government departments must enhance safety supervision. Specific safety management measures are detailed for urban rail transit, addressing aspects such as design, construction, and operation.
Lastly, the Regulations enforce strict legal accountability. They stipulate corresponding legal responsibilities for violations related to service standards, norms, and requirements in urban public transport operations, as well as for unauthorized service interruptions that endanger operational safety.
