SHENZHEN¡¯S first batch of 25 buses specially designed for the convenience of disabled citizens were put into operation on route No. 59 yesterday, said Huang Haiwen, spokeswoman of Shenzhen Bus Group.

Operating between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., the buses ply between Buxin in Luohu District and Window of the World in Nanshan. The bus route, with more than 40 stops over 25 kilometers, covers major business areas, residential communities, hospitals, parks and government agencies.

The disabled-friendly buses have lower floors and an additional ramp to allow access by individuals using wheelchairs.

There is also a designated space for wheelchairs on the bus, and they can be fastened using seatbelts. A thick cushion is installed behind the space for the wheelchair to further ensure the safety of disabled passengers. The buses also come equipped with bells disabled persons can ring when they need help.

Wheelchair-accessible buses cost about 950,000 yuan (US$118,000) each, twice as much as regular buses.

Such buses can make life much easier for the disabled, senior citizens and sometimes, pregnant women, who find it difficult to use regular public buses.

Shenzhen Bus Group said it hopes the buses will help more disabled people walk out of their homes to lead more active lives.

Facilities for the disabled are necessary in a modern city, according to Xu Juehui, spokesman for the city¡¯s communications bureau. In neighboring Hong Kong, 40 percent of all buses run by Kowloon Motor Bus Co. are wheelchair-accessible buses. Other Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Nanjing have also introduced such buses.

The Shenzhen Metro company currently has facilities for the disabled, like elevators and special passages for wheelchairs.

Editor: Wing