Dalian, a coastal city in China's northeast, has launched new village bus routes as part of nationwide efforts to improve rural public transport.

This development is in line with China's 14th Five-Year Plan, which aims to advance the country's agricultural and rural modernization. For the villagers in Dalian, having a bus service between their village and the downtown city at an affordable price has been a luxury they could have never imagined.

Liang Guolin, a 72-year-old local villager, told CGTN, "This is so convenient. Now I can go to the city whenever I like without any delays. The bus is free for people like me who are over 60, whereas before, we had to pay 20 yuan ($2.8) for a round trip on a private coach."

"The bus is available every 15 minutes, and the routes cover almost all the popular places around the village," said Liu Yanxia, another villager on the bus.

The city has rolled out four new village bus routes in July, covering a total distance of over 80 kilometers. The new network aims to provide safe and reliable bus services to nearly 300,000 villagers in the city's Jinpu New District. Some villagers work in the industrial zone and tourism hotspots within the district, while others, such as the elderly, rely on the buses to reach hospitals or pharmacies.

Yu Changbo, the village bus driver, said: "The drivers are on routine shifts each week so that we can get familiar with the routes as quickly as possible. I think public transport is much safer compared to privately operated coaches."

As China advances rural revitalization following its eradication of absolute poverty, improved rural public transport has supported a workforce for necessary improvements, fostered business clusters and attracted tourists for both business and pleasure.

However, many bus companies across the country are facing financial pressure and operational difficulties. The new bus routes in Dalian require precise budget management. 

Wang Feng, the operations manager of Dalian Transportation Group, told CGTN that while fulfilling their social responsibilities, his company will also look into ways to optimize the operation of village buses. Although this accounts for only a fraction of their business, they will study areas with high demand for public transport and adjust the vehicle scheduling accordingly. The aim is to break even for the time being.

For years, China has aimed to reduce the development gap between urban and rural areas by improving transportation infrastructure and promoting social mobility. The ultimate goal is that no village is left behind on the way to building a modern socialist country.