The last few years have delivered rapid expansions to Shanghai’s Metro networks, and now it seems the city will also boost the above-ground transportation as well. According to Xinmin Evening News, additional medium capacity bus routes will spring up following the debut of the No. 71 bus last year.

The medium volume transit system, distinguished from small volume systems (i.e. buses) and large volume systems (i.e. metro), is designed to complement the capacity of a conventional transportation system. “Larger buses are pivotal to the city’s ‘public transport first’ strategy,” Xie Feng, director of Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, told Shine.

Bus route 71, the city’s first medium capacity bus, made its debut back in February 2017. Covering a distance of 17.5 kilometers, the bus runs along Yan’an Dong Lu and Gaohong Lu. Since March of this year, its daily average number of passengers has reached 46,000, which may explain why the commission is considering to replicate its success.

Image via Huanqiu

According to Xie, the first route, from Zhaojiabang Lu to Lujiabang Lu, is expected to link the Nanpu Bridge area to Xujiahui. “That being said, we are still pondering whether to set an exclusive bus lane or not,” says Xie.

The second route Xie lists, which is already under construction, starts from Zhoujiazui Lu in Yangpu District and ends at Changning Lu in Changning District.

“The transit system could serve Pudong well, too," says Xie. "Numerous residential communities there have brought about a large need for public transportation.” Hence the last route, which will pass through Pujian Lu and Hunan Lu.

Image via Netease

Nonetheless, contrary to the commission’s enthusiasm to build medium volume transit systems, lots of netizens display indifference to it, accusing it of being a total waste of public resources.

The bus route 71 already aroused reproach since its opening to the public. “I don’t quite understand the meaning of the existence of No. 71 bus,” Han Han, renowned Shanghai writer, complains on Weibo. “Yan’an Lu was already congested. Yet, they carved out an exclusive 24/7 bus lane. Moreover, according to the regulation, it’s still unavailable to us even outside its operating time.”

Image via Huangpu

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