Since Jan 6, Baiyun Hotel has forbidden private shuttle buses run by Guangzhou Country Garden, Huanan Country Garden, Star River, Guangzhou Agile and many other suburban residential properties from stopping or loading at the hotel or its neighboring area. The forbiddance triggered a discussion on menace to the survival of private property shuttles. According to Mr. Xian Weixiong, Director of Guangzhou Transport Commission on Jan 22, Temporary Measures for the Operation of Private Property Shuttles is to be introduced.

Xian said that the history of private property shuttles must be respected, but there is currently an absence of management. None of these shuttles are approved by the government authority, which creates a social problem. Now, with the approval of the municipal government the Transport Commission will take the lead on regulation. He also mentioned that Temporary Measures for the Operation of Private Property Shuttles will soon be introduced to set up the requirement standards for new operators. All operating shuttles will be inspected and unqualified ones will be banned from the road.

The process of recruiting private property shuttles into public transport is indeed an expansion of the public transport network into suburban areas. The expanded public transport will replace the private shuttles. In fact, a few residential properties in Panyu have already terminated their shuttle services. In this manner, Xian thinks that efforts must be put into the development of public transportation to meet the traveling demands of the Panyu residential communities. He also mentioned that the layout of subway stations will give consideration to passenger transfers between bus, bicycle, taxi and private car to guarantee a convenient and zero-cost transfer. Also, the existing subway station will be altered to fulfill the same ideal.

(Translated by Guangzhou Association of Foreign Affairs Translators)

Editor: Wing