Workers take free bus ride back home

Passengers get on the bus in line after putting away their luggage in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Feb 5. [Photo/hcwang.cn]

A coach slowly entered the bus passenger station in Jinchengjiang district, Hechi on Feb 5, taking 38 migrant workers back to their homes from Guangzhou, Guangdong province to spend the Spring Festival.

The service was initiated by Guangdong Radio and Television in 2013 to help those working in Guangzhou including builders, sanitation workers and waiters to go back home free of charge.

Information was released through Television, WeChat and Weibo this year. Promotions were also made by entering the communities and companies so that the workers can apply for a seat both online and via site registration.

"This year there's only one bus available to Hechi but we will carry on with the service and benefit more people", an organizing staff member said.

"Three of us are extremely happy to enjoy the free ride service, which has saved us a fare of at least 1,000 yuan ($157.9) and it was also much easier to get the ticket," a passenger Wei Zhixiang got off the coach still smiling despite the long 11-hour ride.

Wei Meini, who has worked in Guangzhou for eight years, is the sole breadwinner of a family of two children and two eighty-year-old elderlies. She registered for a seat as soon as saw the news of the ride on TV.

"It was a pleasant journey and the staff were very kind. I got bread, umbrella and calendars as gifts, I feel really lucky", Wei said.

A total of 10 lines have been opened this year to arrive at multiple cities in Yunnan, Hunan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Fifty-one tickets were up for grabs for the Hechi line and all of the 38 applicants got the chance.

All the passengers pose for a photo after arriving at Hechi.[Photo/hcwang.cn]