Tianjin will launch 20 projects to upgrade public transportation standards, which are expected to greatly improve service quality, according to the Tianjin Transportation Department.

The projects will emphasize both operations upgrades and hardware improvement. A total of 2,000 new buses will be put into use. Up to 60 bus lines will be launched, extended, or adjusted. The new or upgraded bus lines will fill up the gaps in the public transportation network and improve the connection of buses and subways.

In addition, the projects will focus on the soft power of public transportation service. According to the proposal, system will improve in-bus services, drivers' services, and bus station services, upgrade information at stations and stop boards, promote smart public transportation, and enhance service monitoring.

Bus companies will be required to publish service standards and monitoring hotlines in the bus and launch non-profit campaigns to promote bus culture.

The city will add air conditioning and environmentally-friendly buses, with the goal of 50 percent new energy buses by 2016 and 100 percent with air conditioning. Moreover, special staff members will take charge of bus cleaning.

The city aims at providing residents with real time information such as bus line information inquiry, destination reminders, and bus line operational data through mobile phones by the first half of 2016.

In addition, based on the experience of the demonstrative bus lines such as Line No.5 and Line No.8, all of the buses in the city will have free Wi-Fi by the end of 2016.

The city will provide discounts for passengers traveling with smart public transportation cards. Moreover, the city will actively promote the smooth connection of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei regional public transportation cards.

The bus drivers' services will be improved, including their manners, driving skills, and services to passengers with special needs. The projects aim at creating a harmonious atmosphere between bus drivers and passengers. The bus stop information boards will be standardized and updated. The information guidance on transferring between buses and subways will be enhanced to provide convenience.

The standardization of bus stations will be further improved. The facilities and signs in bus stations will be unified.

The public transportation service will complete the complaint mechanism and establish a civilized atmosphere. The service standards and monitoring methods will be available to the public.