How to Use Beijing's Expanded and Discounted Customized Bus Routes

In order to encourage commuters to travel in smaller groups rather than risking exposure on the subway or on regular city buses, the city has expanded their pre-existing customized bus service. This comes as many the city’s businesses plan to gradually restore at-office work following several weeks of employee absence or remote work. 

Customized, pre-bookable bus services have actually existed for a while now, servicing city commuters who appreciate being able to guarantee themselves a seat every day, but this expansion sees them adding 200 new lines to the service. 

Normally the price per ride for a customized bus is RMB 8 within 20 kilometers or RMB 5 within 5 kilometers. With the epidemic discount, however, users can buy tickets discounted by 40 percent until Mar 27, making the customized buses nearly as economical as the regular city buses for a limited time.  

Additionally, the WeChat mini-app used to book the buses has been updated to show users all available routes and to provide walk-to-stop navigation as well as in-app booking cancellation.

How to use the customized bus route app for your commute

To access the WeChat mini-app, open WeChat and swipe downwards to bring up the mini-app interface. Then, use the mini-app search bar to search for 北京定制公交升级版 (běijīng dìngzhì gōngjiāo shēngjí bǎn). (After that, the app can be found in the 'Recently used' display.)

Give the app permission to access your location, and your current location will display in the 'Origin' (始发地 shǐfādì) field. Then, enter your desired destination in the 'Destination' (目的地 mùdìdì) field.

Once the above information is entered, the app will automatically offer a recommended route. Tap the "Purchase ticket" (购票 gòupiào) button to select this route. Then, tap 'Select dates' (选择日期 xuǎnzé rìqí) to view the available dates and select the days of your commute. You can also adjust the 'pick-up' (上车地点 shàngchē dìdiǎn) and 'drop-off' (下车地点 xià chē dìdiǎn) locations by tapping the respective buttons.

Alternatively, you can tap 'View all routes' (查看全部路线 chákàn quánbù lùxiàn) to browse routes that might work for you. The route listings are divided into 'Now selling' (在售 zài shòu) and "Presale" (预售 yù shòu). Presale tickets must be booked by at least 19 people before the route can begin.

Safe riding, commuters!

READ: City Launches Commuter Density Subway App; Airbnb Extends Beijing Suspension to May

Images: VCG, Joey Knotts