A TOTAL of 756 buses that use natural gas are now in operation in Qingdao and another 444 new-energy buses will be put into use by the end of this year. Of the 1,200 new-energy buses scheduled to enter operation in Qingdao this year, 110 are electric ones. GPS systems are installed in the buses to increase safety and an e-card reading system will save citizens the trouble of bringing with them small changes. In recent years, the city has invested 1.76 billion yuan on low-emission buses. As of the end of 2011, Qingdao will have 3,917 public buses up to national III emission criteria, which comprise 90 percent of all buses in the city. The buses also look better, providing a safer and more comfortable ride to passengers. In the meantime, the city also built more bus parking areas and opened more than 130 new routes covering 1,000 kilometers. (Wang Yuanyuan, Li Xiaohan)  | 