Shanghai's transport authority has raised metro fares in order to encourage more people to take buses to relieve the strain on underground trains.

Fares for the shortest ride, for example, have gone up from two yuan (25 US cents) to three yuan (0.37 US dollars) across the city's three subway lines, according to Friday's China Daily.

Fares in Shanghai are set by the distance traveled. The lowest fare is for the first six kilometers, and prices go up by one yuan for each additional 10 kilometers after that.

For trips longer than 28 kilometers, prices have either remained the same or dropped one to two yuan (12-24 US cents).

The price changes are meant to encourage more people to take the bus, particularly during rush hour, according to a statement released by the Information Office of the Shanghai municipal government.

The city's subways are often overcrowded and operate beyond their capacity. Almost 1.3 million people used the city's three subway lines every day in 2004.

Source: Xinhua