Shanghai has released guidelines on building a smarter, greener, and more user-friendly public transportation system over the next five years. 

According to the guidelines, which were jointly issued by the city's transport commission, development and reform commission, finance bureau, public security bureau, and bureau of planning and natural resources on Jan 24, Shanghai is expected to develop a more integrated, efficient, and resilient public transportation system over the next five years. It aims to increase the rate of public transport use to at least 50 percent of all trips taken in the city center.

Here is how Shanghai plans to make it happen, broken down into six areas. 

1. Enhancing the role of public transport 

• In central urban areas: the network will be rail-based, with buses playing a supporting role. The goal is to ensure that 58 percent of all residents in central districts are within a 10-minute walk from a metro station.
• In new towns: buses will form the backbone of the transportation network.
• Between new towns and the city center: trains will play a leading role, with express buses supplementing.

2. Ensuring a seamless transition between metro and buses 

• Ground-level public transport will cater to diverse passenger needs, with dedicated bus routes such as commuter lines, school routes, medical service routes, tourism routes, and night economy routes.
• In principle, all newly built or existing metro stations will have a bus stop within 50 meters.

3.  Implementing smarter operations for a smoother ride

• Shanghai will improve coordination between suburban rail and urban metro systems through measures such as eliminating second security checks for transfers.
• For bus services, a demand-driven approach will be adopted, introducing scheduled shuttle services and short-distance loop routes to cater to specific passenger needs and improve efficiency.

4.  Adopting a more user-friendly system 

• Amenities such as tactile paving, accessible ramps, elevators, nursing rooms, and unisex restrooms will be expanded in transportation facilities and vehicles.
• At least 70 percent of buses will be barrier-free, ensuring a seamless journey for everyone.
• Reforms will be introduced to make public transportation more convenient for foreigners.

5.  Developing a smarter commute

• Shanghai will provide real-time public transport information services. Digital bus stop displays will be installed and efforts will be made to increase the forecast accuracy rate to at least 90 percent.
• Efforts will be made to improve the operation standards for fully autonomous rail transit. Pilot programs for higher-level intelligent buses will be put in place.

6. Optimizing the fare system

The city will rationalize fare structures across different public transport modes, including suburban rail, urban metro, and ground-level buses, to encourage a shift from private vehicles to public transportation.