(Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)
Yangzhou has begun the trial operation of minibus service in the ancient town area, connecting the city's landmarks such as Geyuan Garden, Heyuan Garden, Dongguan Ancient Ferry and Pishi Street.
The minibuses, mainly in red and bright yellow, are much smaller than the normal bus in the city and are quite eye-catching. The length of an ordinary bus is about 12 meters, but the minibus Route 1 with 16 seats and Route 2 with 24 seats are about 7 and 8.5 meters long, respectively.
The minibuses go to extra mile to showcase the city's tourist attractions, such as an introduction of the Slender West Lake on the back of the seat and a travel map on the bus window, allowing passengers to quickly find their favorite attractions.
In harmony with the ancient town, the design of the bus stop also highlights the ancient architectural style of the city.
Both bus routes are within 10 kilometers long, and there would be a bus every 6-15 minutes for a fare of 2 yuan, making them convenient for both residents and tourists.
The new service became available on April 9, and the operation will be adjusted according to the passenger volume and needs. This service is also expected to encourage more tourists and residents to use the public transportation.