The company has arranged staff to provide assistance at the stations where vegetable farmers gathered, and to clean the stains from soil, water and vegetable leaves, so that other types of passengers would not be affected.

　　Hu Simin, a driver on the dedicated bus route, said it has become an important mode of transport for people living in about 30 surrounding villages.

　　“On average, over a hundred villagers take the bus line to the urban area to sell vegetables a day,“ said Hu.

　　Hu has gradually become familiar with the farmers. Before the bus departs early in the morning, he always helps the elderly villagers move their goods, and sometimes farmers give him a handful of vegetables as a gift.

　　Some passengers have also become friends with each other. After selling their vegetables, they often hang out together in the urban area, then take the bus home and have a rest.

　　In China, many regions, such as Nanchang and Qingdao, have attempted to extend and open bus routes to suburbs in recent years, making it more convenient for farmers to commute between remote villages and urban areas, and making it easier for residents to buy fresh fruit and vegetables.■

　　Farmers are pictured on a dedicated bus in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

　　A farmer boards a dedicated bus with baskets of fresh vegetables in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)