Since the beginning of this year, the discussion on "whether the passenger station will disappear" has become increasingly fierce, especially after the Hubei Fujiapo Passenger Station was officially announced to close down recently, this topic has been pushed to the forefront. The passenger station, which used to be a bustling and crowded transportation hub, seems to be quietly fading from public view.

 

The former prosperous passenger terminal gradually declined

 

Once upon a time, the passenger station carried the hopes and dreams of countless people. In that era of relatively underdeveloped transportation, the passenger station was the first choice for the public to travel. Whether it is to visit relatives and friends, migrant workers or leisure tourism, the passenger station is an important station for people to start and return.

 

"Recalling 20 years ago, whether it was a holiday to go home, or a worker to travel, people would mostly choose to take long-distance buses." As far back as I can remember, the bus station was always busy, and the station announcement was full of information about the arrival and departure of various lines." Li Deliang, who has worked in Beijing for nearly 30 years, recalled to reporters.

 

"The passenger station has witnessed countless passengers with heavy bags and accents from all over the world. It is not only the 'starting point of the city' in people's minds, but also the first stop on a new journey." Liu Jiayu, who runs a clothing business in Guangzhou, also expressed his deep feelings for the bus terminal to reporters. In his view, the passenger station carries the precious memories of too many people, from the first time to study away from home, to the first time to travel alone... Countless stories unfold quietly here, it is not only a distinctive symbol of the city, but also deeply imprinted in the "60", "70" and even "80" travel process, difficult to erase memory traces.

 

However, in recent years, under the influence of factors such as changes in public travel habits, highway passenger flow has declined sharply, and the utilization rate of terminal facilities has decreased significantly, resulting in the closure of many bus passenger stations. In Guangdong, for example, in 2021 alone, as many as 10 passenger stations were evacuated and closed in Guangzhou, while the entire Guangdong Province closed 42 passenger stations.

 

"The main reason for the closure of passenger stations is the change in travel patterns." The person in charge of Beijing Xinfadi Passenger Station told reporters that at present, the transportation mode is increasingly diversified, and the rapid development of high-speed rail and bullet trains provides people with more convenient choices for medium and long distance travel. At the same time, the popularity of private cars has made short-distance travel more free and flexible, and it is no longer limited to the fixed time of the bus at the passenger station. In addition, the rise of online ride-hailing, ride-hailing and other travel methods has also brought more flexible travel options to the public. Therefore, even if the price of passenger shuttles is significantly reduced, it is difficult to reverse the declining trend of passenger flow.

 

"From the convenience and comfort point of view, road passenger transport is also not advantageous." Chen Shiping, an expert in the bus industry, analyzed that buses at passenger stations usually need to operate in accordance with fixed lines and schedules, and lack enough flexibility. At the same time, the waiting environment of the passenger station and the bus ride experience are relatively poor, which is difficult to meet the growing travel needs of people. In contrast, high-speed rail, bullet train and other means of transportation can not only provide more comfortable seats, spacious space and good service, but also allow passengers to enjoy higher comfort and convenience during the journey.

 

Recently, the reporter visited Beijing Sihui long-distance bus station and Zhaogongkou passenger station, and found that the situation of the two stations is quite similar: there are not many open ticket Windows in the ticket hall, and there are few queues to buy tickets. Stepping into the station, the cold atmosphere came, and the service staff also appeared to be more slack. Waiting room, a large number of empty seats idle, although there are passengers from time to time, but it is difficult to see the bustling scene.

 

"This kind of quiet situation has lasted for a long time, even during the National Day holiday, the passenger traffic has not seen a significant increase, and it is even more crowded on weekdays." Zhaogongkou passenger station related responsible person said helplessly.

 

It's too early to say goodbye

 

Data show that China's highway passenger traffic has been reduced by 80% in the past 10 years, and the situation of "from prosperity to decline" in various car passenger stations is common. By the end of 2022, about 2,800 second-level or above passenger stations in the country are generally facing the problem of making ends meet in passenger transport business, and only 20% can maintain breakeven through "commercial support stations". This situation seems to indicate that the car passenger station is gradually being marginalized. So will it really go away?

 

"Although the passenger terminal is facing many challenges, it does not mean that it will completely retire from history." Cheng Shidong, director of the Urban Transportation Center of the Comprehensive Transportation Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, believes that in the future transportation system, passenger stations still have a certain function and value. Although it is difficult to reproduce the past prosperity, it still has a specific survival and development space.

 

"For example, the passenger station can continue to provide services for some specific groups of people, such as migrant workers, low-income people and so on. These passengers are more price-sensitive or less familiar with new modes of travel. The shuttle bus price of the passenger station is relatively close to the people, which can meet their travel needs. In addition, for some remote areas or places with difficult transportation, passenger stations are still an indispensable travel choice." Cheng Shidong said.

 

In the view of Zhang Qing, the relevant person in charge of Beijing Liuliqiao passenger station, the passenger station can also complement high-speed rail, bullet trains, private cars and other modes of transportation. In areas not covered by high-speed rail, passenger stations can continue to play a connecting role, while also seamlessly connecting with other modes of transport, providing passengers with more convenient transfer services.

 

In addition, in the case of natural disasters, emergencies and other emergencies, passenger stations can be used as an important force for emergency transportation support. It has a certain vehicle reserve and transportation capacity, can quickly organize vehicles for rescue and transportation, and protect the safety of people's lives and property.

 

Transformation and upgrading is the only way out

 

In the face of sharp decline in passenger flow and operating difficulties, it is urgent to explore the road of transformation and upgrading of automobile passenger station.
In fact, in recent years, many attempts have been made in the transformation and development of the bus passenger station. For example, some passenger stations have begun to expand station and yard service functions and add charging infrastructure to support new energy vehicles to go to the countryside. We will renovate and build logistics and distribution facilities to provide diversified services such as cargo consignment, warehousing, sorting and distribution. At the same time, some passenger stations are also actively expanding tourism business services, and cooperating with local governments and tourism companies to promote urban and rural tourism and open up new profit channels.

 

"At present, we are negotiating cooperation with some travel companies, hoping to provide passengers with a one-stop service combining 'passenger transport and tourism', using the unique advantages of the passenger station, opening tourist through trains and customized tourism projects, to fill the market loss caused by the decline of traditional passenger transport business." Zhang Qing, head of Beijing Liuliqiao Passenger Station, said that traditional highway passenger transport enterprises must speed up the transformation and upgrading, and innovate the operating system and model in order to create more value and profits for the passenger transport industry, and the development model of the combination of transport and tourism can further activate the vitality of the passenger transport market.

 

"Since the government encouraged the expansion of the service functions of the bus passenger station, we have extended our services to automobile sales, automobile maintenance, commercial services, energy services, express services and so on, and achieved certain economic benefits." Qian 'an passenger station responsible person said.

 

"Our central station is also making some new attempts to invigorate the market by developing various vehicle services such as school bus services, commuter buses and customized passenger transport." Shandong Transportation Group Huangdao bus terminal relevant person in charge told reporters.

 

Yu Kun, deputy general manager of Xiangyang Bus Group, said: "In the face of the transformation needs of the bus passenger station, we will build Xiangyang Bus Passenger Station into the first unique new energy vehicle park in the 'Xiangshisuishen' city group, and add car rental business, with an annual income of 3 million yuan."

 

Coincidentally, while maintaining the basic service functions, Zhengzhou Transport Group passenger Transport North Station has also built a business complex integrating brand automobile 4S stores and parts sales, which has not only created good profits, but also realized the internal transfer and employment of some employees.

 

In addition, customized passenger transport is also a new model that passenger stations are exploring. A person in charge of a passenger transport enterprise in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, told reporters: "As early as 2020, we have opened more than 7 small buses, network reservations through platform software, point-to-point services to meet the personalized needs of passengers." "Custom passenger traffic has grown very fast, from the initial two routes to more than 20 now, and will continue to expand in the future."
It can be seen that the bus passenger station is not without a future, as long as we actively respond to challenges, constantly promote transformation and upgrading, expand the scope of business, strengthen information construction, and integrate with other modes of transportation, we will be able to continue to "shine and heat" in the future transportation system.

 

China Automotive News, October 29, 2024