Shenzhen metro takes half-hearted swing at fare dodgers with low fines

Friday July 25 gathered 17 of Shenzhen's movers and shakers - including lawmakers, merchants, political advisers and residents - at a hearing on the draft laws for Shenzhen city metro operation management. The group agreed to fine an insidious criminal element blighting the streets of our fair city: ticket evaders. According to the draft produced at the meeting, said fine would amount to around five or ten times the cost of a standard ticket, no doubt a measure of grave circumstance for those who get their kicks from hurdling barriers, outwitting security guards and 'sticking it to the man' by saving up to RMB7 per trip.

However one lawmaker, Yang Qin, did indeed feel that the fine wouldn't deter potential evaders, noting that the fine on the Hong Kong metro system is as high as HK$5,000. 

Hopefully, fines will also be introduced for those trying to enter carriages at the same time people are exiting, shouting on mobile phones while in transit, clogging up escalators, and (pictured) leaving small children to fend for themselves on the platform.  

Image: globalphotos.com