'Alley buses' in Chongqing ease public transport

Yang Guangming, a 69-year-old man with a disability living in Chongqing in southwestern China, had enough difficulty getting on the bus, let alone getting to the stop, which was located on a steep, narrow road.

The hillside city boasts many zigzag roads, which can pose a challenge for older adults on their daily commutes.

For Yang, who has a problem with his leg, even the short distance from home to the nearby wet market down the slope seemed like a trudge, even using a cane.

Thankfully, the local government extended the green minibus service to his community in July. The buses pick up housebound seniors around the city.

Nicknamed "alley buses", the electric vehicles have six seats and are specifically designed to reach locations that are difficult to access, such as narrow lanes and slopes.

"Chongqing initiated the alley bus project last June. So far, 48 have been put into operation on 13 routes in six districts," said Zhou Zheng, deputy general manager of Chongqing Public Transport Holding Group. "This benefits about 10,700 residents."

Zhou added that the routes are also designed to be integrated with subway stations, making access to them more convenient.

Yang said before the arrival of the service, public transportation was a dilemma for older commuters. Taking a taxi. even for short distances, was thought to be too expensive, while walking was seen as too physically demanding.

Now, he enjoys his free daily bus rides whenever it's not raining.

"In the mornings, I take the bus to a teahouse to meet my friends and have tea, or go to the wet market. In the afternoons, I make my way home by bus and prepare my dinner," Yang said.

Alley bus driver Peng Jian said he has seen how the popularity of the special service among the city's seniors has grown.

"Whether they are going to a community hospital or picking up their grandchildren, lots of seniors will choose to take the alley bus rather than walk," he said.

The passengers are grateful for the service.

"Though the bus doesn't make a profit as most of its users are seniors, who get to ride for free, the service demonstrates how much the local government cares about us," a senior passenger said.

In the near future, Chongqing's alley bus service is expected to add two additional routes and introduce more new models with more space, more seats and user-friendly designs, according to Zhou.