Shanghai Daily news

Shanghai has mapped out a comprehensive transport blueprint for the suburban area, covering nine districts and one town, the local transport authority announced yesterday, adding that as part of the blueprint, more than 100 new bus lines were added to the suburbs last year, boosting local transport.

The city government has put improving the traffic situation in the suburban area as a long-term priority since transport development in the suburbs lags far behind downtown areas, particularly the lack of bus lines and short operational times.

Last year, suburban districts made various efforts to offer local citizens more convenience in terms of transportation.

Pudong New area set up a "Bus Fund" for bus maintenance, while Qinpu District subsidizes its bus lines, which extends their service hours. More investments have also been injected into transport infrastructures. A series of bus stations in Jiading, Songjiang and Fenxian districts have been built or renovated.

Suburban transport has witnessed great progress as 74,000 people benefit from six new bus lines covering 13 schools with a total distance of 55.5 kilometers. Citizens in Huaxing Town and Qingpu District no longer need to take two buses to reach the downtown area because of the extension of bus line No. 74.