Introduction to China

[pic 1][pic 2]

*** 15/12/2014 ***

URBAN TRANSPORTATION IN CHINA

A GOOD PROSPECT FOR ENVIRONMENT

1. Abstract

The first impression I have about China is the traffic transportation. Modern and convenient transportation is one of many things I like in China.

A good thing here is that most of Chinese people use public transportation and the vehicle ownership level in China is very low, which attributes to reduce the urban pollution and global warming.

The modernization of transport system that began in 1978 required a big investment. Until now, the traffic system in China has developed more and more with the application of technology. In this topic, I am from a foreigner’s view to use transportation, I do not mention the cars. I only discuss about the public transportation including buses, taxi, subway and the vehicle friendly to environment such as bicycle and rickshaw.

Following is my topic’s content structure:                                                                           Page

1. Abstract……………………………………………………………………………1
2. Content

1. City-bus………………………………………………………………………..1
2. Taxi…………………………………………………………………………….2
3. Subway………………………………………………………………………...3
4. Bicycle…………………………………………………………………………4
5. Walk…………………………...………………………………………………4
6. Rickshaw………………………………………………………………………4

1. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………5

1. Content

1. [pic 3]City-bus

Chinese city-bus transportation system started when the Republic of China was founded. This is a very common transportation in China. All of my foreign friends and I ever went by bus in China. It is very convenient. There is about one bus station each one kilometer. And there are many bus lines going to many destinations at each station. We can easily find a bus line to the place we want to go. In some case we can transfer through two lines if there is not the bus going directly to our destination.

The advantage of bus for the urban life is not only the convenience but also its attribution to reduce traffic jam and urban pollution.

Most of the buses run only during the daytime from about 06:30 to 19:30, though a few services may run later. There are usually one driver and one conductor on each bus. According to my experience, the behavior of them is very good, they can show everything for me when I ask about the way. There is a problem is that the conductors usually can not speak English so passengers should learn some simple words and sentences to ask, or they can ask some friends who know Chinese write the questions before they get on bus.

It is very easy to buy the tickets. Passengers can buy tickets directly after getting on bus by putting cash or coin into the box installed at the front door, and then get the ticket. The frequent bus passengers should have a transportation card for convenience. With this card, you don’t need to prepare change before getting on bus. You just need to put the card on the card-reader machine at the front door. When your card runs out of money, you can fulfill it at subway stations. This card can be used for travelling by subway, too. You will save a little bit money by using card instead of using cash to buy tickets. The price of each bus trip is from RMB 1 to RMB 1.2, which is very cheap, so everyone can afford and prefer this kind of transportation.

It is convenient to foreigners that every bus has the information of the destinations during its trip on the screen both in Chinese and in Pinjing so that foreign passengers can track where to get off.

It is interesting to me that sometimes I see some buses using the green material. This type of bus is now encouraged by many governments in the world but I think it is not common. But in China, the government can make it practical, which is a big improvement in protecting global environment.

1. Taxi

[pic 4]Taxi is one of the public transportations which helps reduce traffic jam and pollution. In my opinion, taxi is the fastest and most flexible vehicle for you travel around the city. We can call a taxi everywhere at every time. Taxies usually congregate at railway stations, airports or hotels. But in general, it is easy for you to find a taxi everywhere. It is common to recognize a taxi in Beijing – a car decorated with green and yellow color and has a signboard on the top.

Unlike bus, taxi runs all day. The first several kilometers fare is RMB 10 in Beijing, this fare varies depending on each city. And the extra distance will be added more RMB 2 each kilometer. If we call taxi after 22 PM or 23 PM, the fare will be a little higher. Actually, this type of transportation is much more expensive than bus, so my friends and I usually choose bus or subway. We only go by taxi in case we are very hurry or many people go together so that we can share the taxi fare.

And the same problem with bus, most taxi drivers can’t speak English, so it is necessary for foreigners to know some simple words to ask the way and to say the money. Non-Chinese speaking visitors are advised to have their destinations written down in Chinese and show the address to the cab driver.