THE last 10 minibus routes in the Shenzhen special economic zone (SEZ) will stop running from June 28, transport authorities announced Tuesday.

The city government decided to phase out minibuses in June last year, after receiving complaints about the bad service provided by minibuses, and frequent traffic violations caused by them. With less than 20 seats, minibuses are also criticized as being inefficient and unsafe, sometimes carrying 30 passengers during rush hour.

The government has opened 35 new bus routes connecting the SEZ with Bao'an and Longgang districts, 29 new routes inside the SEZ, and five other night routes, as minibuses are gradually phased out. A total of 1,083 new buses have been put into operation on the new routes.

Citizens are also encouraged to call 8322-8000 to offer their suggestions on the overall planning of the city's public transport system.

The city government has authorized Shenzhen Bus Group to open 30 more bus routes before Aug. 30 and eight routes connecting the urban and suburban districts by the end of this year.

The transport authorities have also pledged to upgrade and streamline the bus network, rearrange the locations of some stops and change schedules of some bus routes to give citizens easier access to buses. Their goal is to cover 98 percent of the SEZ with the public transportation network, up from the present 90 percent.

"The original plan was to end minibus services in December last year, but at that time there were not enough buses meeting the Euro-III emission standard to replace them," said Tang Zhaobin from the city's communication bureau.

The city had 95 minibus routes in the 1990s.

Meanwhile, the communication bureau announced yesterday they will reduce the number of buses stopping at the Baishizhou Bus Stop starting today.

Buses 20, 32, 78, 109, 121, 232, 245, will no longer be allowed to stop at Baishizhou. Violators will be harshly punished, the bureau said.

Editor: Wing