Around 79 new minibus routes will be available from next January, and most of the new routes will make stops at the newly-built residential blocks outside of the Third-Ring Road and in the suburbs, according to Beijing Bureau of Transportation (BBT), quoted by Xinhua News Agency.

The new routes have been designed by the municipal government according to the overall transportation situation, said Zhou Yinglai, deputy director with BBT.

He noted the government will invite companies to compete for the business.

After reorganization, all the minibuses will run in line with "five fixed" principles: fixed stops, fixed set-off times, fixed intervals, fixed routes, fixed drivers and conductors, added Zhou.

He said only those companies who reach all the government standards and pass two examinations in the middle and at the end of the year, will resume the monopoly.

In order to minimize the inconvenience caused by the withdrawal of the minibuses,the Beijing Bus Company has taken effective action.

More buses have been added to busy and crowded routes.

In addition,50 new bus routes are now open to the public.

"Residents, accustomed to the old minibus system may feel a little inconvenience at the beginning, however, people will get more benefits in the long run," said Zhang Qingzhu, director of the Minibus Administration Office under BBT.

Due to its lack of appropriate management, the minibuses have caused considerable trouble and danger to many passengers. Many accidents and crimes occurred on the minibuses. Illegal acts by minibus drivers and conductors even put the lives passengers into peril.

(China Daily December 17, 2001)