‘Driver stations’ mulled for long distance buses
Print Edition
THE Shanghai Transport Commission is considering setting up “driver stations” in neighboring provinces for long distance bus drivers.
As per current regulation, long distance drivers who cover over 800 kilometers are banned from driving from 2am to 5am unless another driver takes over the bus. The regulation, which was issued in 2012, was introduced over safety concern as long distance drivers tend to get tired driving in the night and struggle with poor vision.
Bus companies in Shanghai have been suspending operation for three hours and pull over at service spots along the highways. Drivers hit the road again at 5am after taking a quick nap.
The commission is now looking at the possibility of four “driver stations” in Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Henan provinces to ensure continuous operation of the services and safety.
The plan is to have a second driver take over the bus when it reaches the station and continue on the route, while the first driver heads in for a break.
The commission said till now none of Shanghai’s long distance bus companies had set up a station because of the high costs. The companies instead have worked out a bus schedule that avoids the three hours in the night, or prefers to have a pause on the trip while passengers wait at service station or on the bus for three hours.
Talks were held with some of the bus companies and three of them had agreed to jointly open driver stations in other provinces on a trial base.
As per plan, the four stations were to be set up at Jinghe Town (Jiangsu), Hefei (Anhui), Gucheng County (Hubei) and Goulin Town (Henan). The stations will be set up either at highway service areas or near highway exits. They will provide parking, food, and accommodation for drivers. The commission is evaluating the four spots.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
