In an effort to further clean up the Beijing Subway, authorities are now imposing several new regulations that aim to crack down on “uncivilized” behavior.
The new regulations, which came into force on Wednesday, target behavior such as entering the subway without a ticket, occupying multiple seats, eating on the train (unless you’re an infant), and selling products or engaging in marketing activities, according to a document published by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.
Certain regulations that first came into effect in 2016 have also been updated and now not only include restrictions on smoking but also a ban on the use of e-cigarettes, using folding bikes or hoverboards, lying down, playing loud music, loitering, and taking advantage of the sweet sweet air conditioning (it will be interesting to see how they determine that one). Additionally, people who refuse security checks will be unable to enter the subway, according to China Daily.
Anyone caught lounging or ducking gates will be docked personal social credit points, which may result in the individual being banned from public transport and even prohibited from flying or taking trains. Luckily, perpetrators can earn back the state’s trust by devoting volunteering hours to the very service they sullied: the Beijing Subway! Fun.
For us foreigners, there’s still no word on how infringements will affect our score, or if we even have one at all. Either way, many are too busy dodging the police on our unregistered scooters above ground to be concerned with what’s happening down below.
Image: Weibo
