Beijing's public transportation system is expected to offer more handicapped people free rides on buses and subway trains.

Currently, only the blind are given free rides on public transportation, an official at the Beijing Disabled Persons Federation (BDPF) told Beijing News.

"I hope that all the handicapped can enjoy free public transportation since they are a disadvantaged group of people in our society," he said.

The official also said all municipal administrations, including the BDPF, are cooperating on the matter. They are conducting research to determine how many handicapped people live in Beijing. These include people who are physically or mentally disabled, as defined by the Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons.