Local passengers traveled 8.5 kilometers and spend 50.8 minutes on average every time they used public transportation last year in Shanghai, local transportation authorities announced Thursday.

On the average trip, passengers spent 34.1 minutes in transit and 16.7 minutes waiting to transfer to another train, bus or car, according to a study by the Shanghai Municipal Transport and Port Authority, which covered 17 districts and counties in the municipality. The study focused primarily on bus and subway passengers.

For their daily commutes, 47 percent of residents chose to use public transportation in 2011.

Buses accounted for 46.2 percent of the city's public transportation infrastructure. The city's subway system made up 34.5 percent, and taxis accounted for 18 percent, according to the study.

As of the end of 2011, Shanghai's 12 subway lines covered 454.1 kilometers, according to the study. Its 16,589 buses covered 1,202 routes over 22,906 kilometers.

Buses form the backbone of Shanghai's public transportation system, with the subway serving the mainstream of the population, the report said.

The cost of public transportation has gradually dropped in the city due to government incentive policies. A single trip on the subway cost 2.4 yuan on average last year, 14 percent lower than in 2005. Public buses cost 1.8 yuan per ride on average, 5 percent less than in 2005. 

Global Times