BEIJING — China recorded a decline in passenger transport in urban areas during the first four months of this year, official data showed.

In the January-April period, the number of passenger trips in 36 major cities stood at 13.85 billion, down 19.1 percent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Transport.

East China's Shanghai saw the sharpest decrease of 41.8 percent. The northern city of Shijiazhuang reversed the overall downturn, registering a 67.9-percent growth during the period.

In terms of transport types, bus and tram passengers dropped 20.1 percent, while urban rail passengers shrank 17 percent, according to the ministry.