Christine Cai/Shanghai Daily news

The number of books being stolen from a library scheme on Metro Line 9 is falling, Metro authorities said, Shanghai Daily reported.

The novel plan to provide subway commuters with free books and magazines was launched on August 27 at all 12 stations of Line 9. Under the original plan, commuters were allowed to pick up books or magazines at a station, read them on their journey and return them when they got off the Metro at their destination.