Political advisers in Beijing are calling on decision-makers to take into account the needs of commuters and students when revising the flat-rate fare for subway journeys in the capital.

They say any increase in the flat-rate fare, while potentially easing heavy passenger flows during peak hours, should not harm subway users who have no other travel options for their daily journeys - particularly those on low incomes.

The issue of fare revision has been a key topic for debate at the Plenary Session of the Beijing Municipal Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, which wrapped up on Sunday.