Electric minibus curbs black cabs, struggles for govt funding

Electric minibus curbs black cabs, struggles for govt funding

• Source: Global Times
• [09:15 March 22 2011]
• Comments

Passengers ride the community shuttle bus Monday in Shuanghuayuan, Chaoyang district. Photo: Xu Tianran

By Xu Tianran

A community shuttle bus, which began operation to help local residents while assist in curbing illegal taxis in the Shuanghuayuan area, has proven successful, as the number of unlicensed three-wheelers has dramatically reduced.

The long distance separating some residential areas from public transportation stops often lead many to take unlicensed three-wheelers to the nearest bus or subway station.

These distances, known by Chinese media as "last kilometers," encourage the use of black cabs and three-wheelers, which compound traffic woes.

It often takes Shuanghuayuan community resident Li Li, an office worker in Chaoyang District, around 20 minutes to walk her "last kilometer" from the nearest bus station to her apartment.

"I was paying 5 yuan ($0.75) to an unlicensed three-wheeler, but now I only need to pay 1 yuan to take the shuttle," Li said. "It's really good to have them."

The electric vehicle, which can carry 11 passengers and departs every 5 minutes during rush hours, has gained popularity among local commuters.

"Some impatient residents come to our station before 7:20 in the morning asking us to take them, which we do," the driver surnamed Li said.

The bus departs every 15 minutes during off-peak hours.