Long-distance buses: Popular alternative to railways

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-24-2008 09:19

Travelling on long-distance buses is a popular alternative to the railways, even though prices have gone up.

Travelling on long-distance buses is a popular alternative to the railways, even though prices have gone up.

Relaxed and assured, passengers at this bus station will soon be on their way home. Without endless queues, buying a ticket is reasonably easy. And a ticket guarantees a seat.

Zhang Haixia's whole family is travelling home. They've always gone by bus on their annual journey. It costs eighty yuan per person to go to neighboring Hebei Province.

Bus passenger Zhang HAixia said, "We're so happy to go home. We take the bus because we don't want to buy train tickets in advance. It takes too much time."

Buses have their advantages, but with their increasing popularity and the rising cost of gas, fares have also gone up.

Long-distance bus fares cannot by law increase by more than twenty percent during the holiday period. But passengers don't seem to mind spending the extra.

Bus passenger Duan Shenglin said, "It costs more, but I can still afford it. I'm going home anyway, regardless of the price."

The peak of travel on the roads is expected to begin in a week's time and post-holiday travel will hit around 11th and 12th, February as well as 22nd and 23rd.

This is perhaps the least crowded transportation spot compared to train stations and airports. Passenger flow has not reached its peak, but people have already started heading home. After the Spring Festival, they will travel back, starting another year of migrant life and looking forward to the next family reunion.

Editor:Zhang Ning