Commuter buses all revved up and ready to roll

PASSENGERS will be able to choose from two new bus routes traveling between downtown and the city's two islands after the Shanghai Changjiang tunnel-bridge opens to traffic at the end of this month.

Chongming County transport authorities said it would be great for commuters as ferries were now the only way to travel to Chongming and Changxing islands.

"It means I can travel even if the weather is unpleasant," said Gong Yuanyuan, a Chongming native who in the past has had to cancel ferry trips during storms.

Officials estimate the drive in smooth traffic from Pudong to Chongming Island will take about 30 minutes. The trip is at least 90 minutes on some of the slower ferries.

The fare price for both routes will be 12 yuan (US$1.76) and 30 buses, each capable of carrying 41 passengers, will be made available.

Both starting at Chongming Island's Chenjia Town, one route will end in the city's Zhabei District and the other in Pudong New Area's Shanghai Technology Museum.

Services will begin at 5:55am and end at 7pm each day and the interval time will be 18 minutes, according to authorities.

One of the routes will also cover Changxing Island, between the city and Chongming,

The Changxing service, from 6am to 7pm, will take passengers to Shanghai Technology Museum and the fare will be 9 yuan.

Transport authorities will also add new bus routes between the two islands as demand increases.

Email Story    Printable View    Blog Story    Copy Headline/URL