Zhangjiagang expanded its public transport system on Sept 20 with the launch of Xiaoshazhou Express, an innovative on-demand micro-bus service operating across a 15-square-kilometer trial zone.
Local residents take Xiaoshazhou Express on Sept 20. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
Designed to serve the Donglai sector and Jiaotong village in Jinfeng town, the service addresses first-and-last-mile connectivity, where conventional fixed routes fall short. Operating on a model featuring fixed stops and flexible routes, standard cruising taxis act as mini-buses, providing direct point-to-point transit based on real-time requests.
Passengers receive optimized routes with minimal wait times, offering significantly higher flexibility than scheduled buses.
"I called from home, and the driver arrived within 10 minutes, just as I reached the stop," said local resident Shao Jiande following his first ride. "It is far more convenient than relying on standard bus schedules."
Riders can book rides through three accessible channels: calling the hot line (962011), using the official "张家港公交" WeChat account, or pressing a single-button booking kiosk located outside the Jiaotong village committee's building.
Nearly 60 designated pickup stops have been set up throughout the operating area. Trips cost 3 yuan ($0.44) per passenger — comprising a 1-yuan booking fee alongside a standard 2-yuan fare. The model brings responsive, smart mobility to Zhangjiagang's rural communities.