成都免费公交的实践和经验-Tallinn

The Measures & Experiences of Implementing

Free Public Transport in Chengdu

1、Brief introduction to Chengdu and Chengdu Public Bus Group

Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan province and one of China’s

sub-provincial cities is located in the central part of Sichuan. It is designated by the State Council as the science and technology, commercial and financial center of southwest China, as well as the transportation and communication hub for the region. Chengdu, specifically designated for the economic and social development in the state plan, is also the political, economic, cultural and educational center of Sichuan province. It is also the historic and culturally renowned city of China. Chengdu covers an area of 12,400 square kilometers with 441 square kilometers central urban area, administers 9 districts, 4 county-level cities and 6 counties. By the end of 2012, Chengdu had a resident population of 14.0708 million and urban population of 5.29 million. In 2012, Chengdu’s GDP hit 813.89 billion RMB, ran king top 3 among all sub-provincial cities in China.

Founded in 1952, Chengdu Public Transport Group is the only main body of public bus operation in the central urban area of Chengdu. By the end of 2012, the group boasted 8,915 buses, 269 public bus lines of 4,319 kilometers. The group has total assets of 8.688 billion RMB，gross liabilities of 5.743 billion RMB and 20,967 staff members. In 2012, the miles of public bus travel was 333million kilometers with passenger traffic volume of 1.5 billion and operating revenue of 1.56 RMB. The trip sharing ratio hit 26.46%. The public finance allocated and subsidized 1.768 billion RMB and the operation losses hit 480 million RMB.

2、People-benefiting Policies of Chengdu over Last Five Years

In accordance with the development strategy of building “public bus metropolis” by the state, Chengdu Public Transport Group adheres to the development concept of building “public bus metropolis” to satisfy the trip demand of citizens, ease traffic congestion and build eco-friendly city over the recent years. Chengdu has launched multiple public transport policies benefiting the people since 2007.

On 1st, June, 2007, Chengdu took the lead to implement people benefiting policy of swiping IC cards: students enjoyed 20% discount by swiping monthly cards and adults 50% discount. By the end of 2012, Chengdu had issued more than 5.2 million IC cards.

Senior citizens could apply for old age free card since 17th Dec, 2007. Senior citizens in the central urban areas of Chengdu began to apply for and get old age free bus cards. By the end of 2012, nearly 270,000 senior citizens had applied for and got the cards and 33.41 million senior citizens have benefited every year.

On 1st May, 2010, free bus transfer policy within urban areas in Chengdu was implemented to make urban public buses more attractive. Consumers taking buses in the urban areas by swiping IC cards could enjoy preferential policy of free bus transfer of three times within two hours. Statistics show that 950,000 people enjoy free bus transfer everyday.

From October 11th 2012 to June 30th 2013, 44 free bus lines between the 2nd and the 3rd ring roads were opened to the public to match the massive urban infrastructure construction. During this period, 97.51 million person-times traveled by free buses.

Since July 1st, 2013, free bus policy from 5am to 7am was also implemented. Passengers could take free bused by swiping cards, which would encourage citizens to travel avoiding peak hours in advance.

New public bus lines in the central urban areas have been launched since 1st July this year. Passengers could take free buses by swiping cards.17 free community buses were also launched. Passengers could take community buses within one kilometer radius of their residences. This policy aimed at encouraging passengers to travel by bus and raise proper suggestions on the line directions and operation schemes.

3、Implementing Process and Effective Analysis of 44 Free Bus Lines

(1)Background for the implementing 44 free bus lines

In 2012, multiple radiate and loop lines in Chengdu were undergoing transformation and 25 projects were about to be initiated, most of which were concentrated within the 3rd ring road. According to the report, there were about more than 5,000 kilometers traffic lanes in the central urban areas and it was estimated that all the construction projects would occupy more than 1,000 kilometers traffic lanes in the first half of 2012. That was to say one fifth of the road resources would be occupied.

Besides, as the traffic artery of the urban area, the lane capacity of the 2nd ring road during peak hour can be more than 5,000 vehicles per hour. After construction, the lane capacity is about to decrease by 50%~70%.

In light of urban transport development strategy of “priority given to public transport”and “addressing people’s well-being”and concept of “public transport benefiting the people”, the Chengdu Municipal Government implemented traffic restrictions based on the last digit of license plate numbers within the 2nd and 3rd