P.M. BRIEFING : China Hikes Cost of Tickets

BEIJING — The Chinese government said today it will double city bus fares and raise by 20 times the cost of tickets for the Great Wall in the new year--the first hikes in 40 years.

Beijing residents reacted to the increases with dismay and voiced fears of a resurgence in 1991 of inflation, which soared to 18% in 1989. Bus and trolley fares will double from the equivalent of one U.S. cent to two cents and underground fares will rise from six cents to 10 cents.

The huge increases were the first since fares and park entrance fees were introduced 40 years ago, the state-run New China News Agency quoted a city official as saying.

Admission tickets to most parks and tourist sites, including the Great Wall and the Summer Palace will go up from two cents to 40 cents. Between 30,000 and 40,000 people visit the Summer Palace each day.