Public bus routes will extend to every housing estate in Shenzhen in the next five years, according to a government plan revealed earlier this week.

According to the plan, the interval between buses on any route will not be more than five minutes during peak hours, and not more than 85 percent of the seats on each bus will be occupied during peak hours, by the year 2010.

The five-year plan on public transportation also says that the speed of buses will be at least 20 kilometers per hour in downtown areas, and more than 30 kilometers per hour in less crowded areas.

With the number of cars rising by 30 percent annually, the average bus speed on Shenzhen roads has dropped to below 18 kilometers per hour. During rush hour, vehicles on roads in Luohu and Futian districts have to crawl at 12 kilometers per hour.

"Buses are losing appeal for Shenzheners," said a report released by the municipal communications bureau Monday. The proportion of people taking buses has dropped by 4 percent in the past five years, figures from the bureau show.

A total of 11.456 billion yuan will be spent to improve the public transport system in the next five years, according to the plan. More bus stops and metro lines will be constructed.

Editor: Yan