The Ministry of Transport announced Thursday that, by the end of this year, a universal transport card would be valid for reciprocal use on public transportation in 220 cities at the prefecture level or above across the country.

China has about 300 cities at the prefecture level or above.

Up till now, the locally issued transport card has facilitated reciprocal travel in 190 cities at the prefecture level or above in China, Wang Shuiping, an official with the ministry, said at a regular news conference.

Wang added that the ministry would strive to make the transport card valid in all cities and towns nationwide by 2020.

Top image: A sample of the universal transport card issued in Hebei province.