Two old-fashioned trolley cars, known as 'Dangdang cars', will trundle down Beijing's Qianmen Street from next year. The ticket price is fixed at 20 yuan, or about 3 US dollars.

The 'Beijing Youth Daily' carried an article, complaining that the price is too high for the mere 840 meters the trolley cars have to travel and there is fear that passengers will shun the service.

Qianmen Street, the capital's ancient commercial centre, with a history of more than 600 years, reopened this August after a year of renovation. As the only vehicles allowed in the pedestrian area, it was reported earlier that these "Dangdang cars" would be free to the public.

A political advisor says only 12 time-honoured stores have returned to this ancient street with many more still to come. Although the street attracts thousands of domestic and foreign tourists everyday, the price is still considered by many to be too steep.

But the street developer said "Dangdang cars" are to be used as a tourism drawcard and not for general public transportation. They say to fix the ticket at this price is a commercial strategy and they are not worried about any potential lack of passengers.