Free bus rides in rush hours to end for seniors

There has an increase of 50 percent in public bus passengers in Shanghai's Songjiang District in the past three years, causing a cancellation of rush-hour free ride policy for seniors in suburban Songjiang District.

District traffic authorities announced a cancellation of free bus rides for senior residents during peak hours starting on September 1 due to safety concerns amid growing traffic.

Currently, residents above the age of 70 holding a special card may enjoy free bus rides in the district at any time. The policy has been looser than the city's rules, which allow such free rides only during off-peak hours -- excluding 7-9am and 5-7pm.

A district official said boarding a crowded bus can be risky for the elderly, and the overloading of buses can contribute to accidents.

A lot of seniors in Songjiang were making use of the free-ride policy to take buses in rush hours, creating huge extra pressure.

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