Eating may not be banned on Shanghai metro

A draft regulation for Shanghai rail transit management was released without mentioning that people are not allowed to eat food on the subway. The proposed eating ban was a hot topic for public discussion.

The 12-point draft included new rules, such as passengers are not allowed to bring bicycles, skateboards and skates into the subway, the Shanghai Morning Post reported.

Imposing an eating ban can be difficult as infants and patients of hypoglycemia have to take some form of food, said Sun Jianping, director of Shanghai Municipal Transport and Port Authority.

Using a fake identity for a free ride, the draft said, will result in a fine at least 10 times the ticket price.

In addition, smoking and spitting will be handed to related departments for punishment.

The draft will be handed over for further discussion in the middle of June at a meeting of the Shanghai Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee. The regulation will be legalized this year.