Shanghai set for rapid bus system

Shanghai will soon have its first Bus Rapid Transit system.

The project was officially approved by Fengxian's local government and the BRT will have its own dedicated lanes, according to the Oriental Morning Post. The newspaper said the project is expected to begin construction within the year.

The BRT is expected to start from the suburban district of Fengxian and run to the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center in Pudong. The 32-km route will have 10 stops and knock about 30 minutes off the current 80-minute traveling time.

More than 20 low-deck buses will be in operation with an average departure interval time of between 10 to 20 minutes.

In Shanghai, 45 percent of commuters take buses while 36.6 percent take the subway.