While ride-hailing cars are commonplace, have you heard of hailed buses? In Shanghai's bustling Lujiazui financial district, a new "on-demand bus" pilot is turning heads.

The pilot service for online bus reservations launched on Jan 9. It runs on weekdays during non-peak hours (8 am-2 pm) to reduce empty runs and waste.

The service operates on roads suitable for buses within Lujiazui and stops at existing stations, connecting major office towers, subway stations, landmarks, and shopping centers in the area.

To hail a bus, passengers use a mini-program on Alipay to select a pickup point and destination from existing stops, as well as a preferred pick-up time. When the bus arrives, the passenger scans a QR code to board.

If no other passengers have booked the same bus, the vehicle proceeds directly to the destination — no detours, no unnecessary stops.

"It's a point-to-point express during low-demand hours," explained Chen Wei, a manager at Pudong Yanggao Bus Company. He likened it to moving from "pre-set menus" of traditional buses to an "a la carte" service.

Since a test service began in September, more than 480 passengers have used it, mostly office workers heading to lunch or running errands in the vicinity of Lujiazui.

"I book from my office and walk to the stop just in time. No more waiting in the heat or cold," said one commuter.

For now, rides are free, but a flat fare of 1 yuan (14 cents) is expected in the future.

Pudong New Area plans to expand this flexible "hailed bus" model to other areas with similar fluctuating demand, including large residential communities, industrial parks, and suburban regions.

Sources: ThePaper, Shanghai Media Group