Order and go! Beijing to launch customized buses

The first batch of nearly 200 customized buses that run on online reservations will hit the road in Beijing on Feb. 27, the Beijing Public Transport Corp said on Sunday.

Individuals and companies can start making reservations or buying tickets on Tuesday through a micro-app on the popular social media platform WeChat, according to the company.

A bus line will be opened within five days if the number of applicants for the same line and the same timetable can reach half of the bus seats, the company said, adding that if the attendance rate falls below 50 percent, the bus line will be adjusted or even canceled.

A ticket for such buses costs 8 yuan (US$1.1) if the travel distance is below 20km, and 3 yuan will be added for every increase of 5km.

Passengers will enjoy a ticket discount of 40 percent during the first month from Feb. 27 to March 27, according to the company.

More than 10,000 individuals and 300 companies have submitted applications for the customized service on Feb. 17, the first day when the application information was announced, according to the BPTC.

The customized red buses only provide services within the urban areas of Beijing, the company said.