Shanghai Metro has released plans to increase penalties for fare-dodgers and people eating on trains.

 

The draft of the new Shanghai Rail Traffic Regulation is open for public comment until April 30.

 

If approved, all food and drinks will be banned from carriages and platforms, although no details on fines were offered.

 

Shanghai included a "no eating" proposal in its 2009 metro regulation, but it was never adopted owing to difficulties with implementation.

 

Zhang Shouqian, 29, who spends an average of 40 minutes on the metro every weekday morning, said the food ban is "too cruel" for those who don't have time for breakfast.

 

"They could catalogue the food," he suggested. "For example, spaghetti and instant noodles 'no', but 'yes' for simple snacks," he said.

 

"There are vending machines on station platforms selling drinks. Get rid of them if they want the ban," he added.

 

Snacking commuters are a familiar sight on trains, especially during morning rush hour.

 

"The smell makes me feel uncomfortable and I'm scared people may drop food or spill a drink on me every time they eat breakfast next to me because it's far too crowded," said Wu Yizhong, a regular Shanghai Metro commuter.

 

Wuhan in Hubei province became the first mainland city to ban eating and drinking on its subway last May. Violators face a fine of 200 yuan ($32).

 

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