Public buses offer innovative services to woo passengers

A newlywed couple boards a wedding bus operated by the Shenzhen Bus Group. Photos from Xiaohongshu

As Shenzhen' s Metro network continues its expansion with the addition of new lines over the years, the city' s public buses have faced increasing operational pressures due to a decline in ridership.

To stay competitive in the market and enhance their business revenues, Shenzhen Bus Group is making efforts to offer exceptional and innovative services. One of the latest additions is an immersive role-playing detective game, or a whodunit experience, on some of its buses.

Scripts for role-playing games offered by the Shenzhen Bus Group. 

Role-playing games have gained popularity among young urbanites in Shenzhen. Players take on various roles such as detectives or criminals, each with their own secrets and motivations. The gameplay involves interrogations, deduction, and strategic decision-making, resembling a live-action version of a classic murder mystery novel. This dynamic and interactive experience challenges both critical thinking and social skills, proving to be a popular choice for gatherings of friends or enthusiasts seeking a unique form of entertainment.

To enhance this experience, the bus group has appointed experienced hosts on each bus offering the game service to guide players in collectively solving the mystery. The company also provides scheduled pick-up and drop-off services for customers in Luohu, Futian, Yantian, and Longgang districts, with buses parked at locations set according to scripted scenes.

Another service well-received by the young population in Shenzhen is the wedding bus service. Adorned with large red flowers at the front, painted in festive bright red hues, and featuring “double happiness” symbols inside, the wedding bus exudes creativity and style. Besides being innovative, this service is environmentally friendly, offering a unique urban spectacle for marriages.

In early April, Shenzhen Bus introduced a breakfast service to cater to early commuters in the city. It piloted offering a variety of reasonably priced breakfast items on selected routes. Bus riders can pre-order their breakfast the previous day and collect their meal boxes by presenting the reservation QR codes onboard the bus the next morning.

Responding proactively to the summer heat in Shenzhen, Shenzhen Bus has installed self-service vending machines on its M191 route buses, selling both cold and non-refrigerated drinks.

Encouraged by the positive response to these innovative services, Shenzhen Bus has also launched two specially themed tourism buses during the May Day holiday.

One bus, painted red and embellished with traditional Chinese cultural elements like lion dances, Chinese operas, and Yingge Dance, offers passengers a unique experience. Passengers can take photos at a 3D scene, try on traditional costumes, and explore an exhibition showcasing ornaments related to Chinese opera characters.

The other tourism bus has been transformed to feature a variety of video games, creating a gaming-themed atmosphere tailored to video game enthusiasts. Additionally, game-related handicrafts are available for purchase onboard.