RESIDENTS in Yantian District now have a new transportation option available to them, as the district’s first on-demand bus was put into service Tuesday.

The bus service was jointly launched by Shenzhen Bus Group and Didi Udian Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. The bus will run for a trial period of three months.

Through a mobile app or WeChat mini app called “Youjiaxiaoba” (优加小巴), commuters are able to place an order for pick-ups and drop-offs at any bus stop in the district in advance.

On-demand bus services provide flexible routes based on real-time commuter demand. Compared with a traditional bus, the bus adopts a shared-ride mode and boasts several advantages, such as come-as-you-need service, direct arrival to destinations and reasonable commuting arrangements.

Those advantages are achieved through a data-based platform that takes into consideration passengers’ routes, locations, bus seats, distance and time.

“Passengers should first make their appointments online and set pick-up points and destinations, then the platform will automatically match prioritized routes for them,” said Luo Zhuoping, director of the operations department with the second branch of Shenzhen Bus Group.

At present, a minimum of five orders is required to start an on-demand bus route. Citizens can enjoy a discounted fare of 1 yuan (US$0.14) within 10 kilometers during the trial period, which will increase by 1 yuan per kilometer after 10 kilometers.

After the trial period, the price will be set in line with express buses at around 0.22 yuan per kilometer.

The operation hours of the eight buses launched in the first phase are from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the trial period. Passengers will have to wait no more than 10 minutes to be picked up.

The buses’ routes cover an area from west of Beishan Boulevard to east of Wutong Montain Tunnel in Yantian District, which includes Yantian, Shatoujiao and Haishan subdistricts.

The service is expected to be extended to Futian and Nanshan districts in the future.  (Zhou Ting)