Shenzhen's road transport agencies will operate an adequate number of buses during the Spring Festival period, which will last 40 days from Saturday to Feb. 22.

Wang Jinrong, deputy general manager of Yunfa Industrial Co., the largest road transport company in the city, announced yesterday.

More than 6,600 buses have been made available for the festival, 25 percent more than normal. A large number of buses are also expected from other cities and provinces.

"In the past, buses from other places were prevented from operating in Guangdong during the Spring Festival period, making an exclusive market for local companies. But the policy is now changed, and they can come and go without restriction," said Wang.

The extra buses will ensure smooth travel for passengers, while the bus companies will be forced to provide good service in order to get more business, said Wang.

Tickets for buses departing between Jan. 24 and 26 are selling fast. The popular destinations are the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Jiangxi, Hunan and Hainan provinces, and many cities in Guangdong.

The bus fares will rise by 30 to 55 percent for the festival, according to Zheng Jianhua, chairman of the Shenzhen Long Distance Bus Transport Co., a subsidiary of Yunfa.

Zheng advised that passengers plan their trips and buy the bus tickets at least three days in advance. She also recommended that people take buses operated by reputed companies to ensure transport safety.

She said the company had prepared 1,650 buses for the upcoming festival period, which will head for several hundred cities and counties in 18 provinces and municipalities.

Editor: Yan