Over half Xiamen's buses to use new energy

Another 800 new energy buses are expected to be on the streets in Xiamen, Fujian province during the first half of the year. [Photo/ xmnn.cn]

Another 500 pure electric buses are set to arrive in Xiamen during the first half of the year, one of the livelihood projects formulated by the city's government for this year.

"We will strive to launch 800 pure electric buses this year, 300 buses more than the fixed goal," the head of Xiamen Public Transport Group said on March 6.

The buses will be put into service in groups from March to May; until then 2,265 new energy buses will shuttle back and forth in the city, accounting for 60 percent of the coastal city's fleet, the group noted.

Xiang'an district introduced 16 pure electric buses in the middle of January and new energy buses now are available in all six districts of the city.

The buses are called "Xiamen Blue" by local residents as their main hue is a vivid blue and both sky and clouds are painted on their bodies.

Low noise, comfortable seats, and zero pollution discharge are some of the advantages the new energy vehicles offer.

The latest technological equipment also improves their service, such as a panoramic view system guaranteeing their safety and electronic message boards informing passengers of their arrivals and departures in real time.

Xiamen is now home to 4,387 buses using new energy, clean energy, and traditional fuel. There are 1,765 new energy buses and 723 clean energy buses.