Every morning, Ma Xiujuan, a bus driver in Jilin city in Northeast China's Jilin province, navigates the city streets driving the No 60 bus. She said that the bus is like her second home, while passengers are like her family.

Since being selected as a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in 2023, she has dedicated herself to addressing people's concerns at the grassroots level while fulfilling well her duty as a bus driver, trying to turn these concerns into the consideration of the nation's policy-making process.

Ma Xiujuan, a bus driver in Jilin city in Northeast China's Jilin province and a deputy to the National People's Congress, drives the No 60 bus on the street of Jilin city. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

She said that driving a bus may be a technologically skilled job, but excelling as a bus driver requires finesse.  "A bus represents a city's image, reflecting its spiritual outlook and character. Every time I start my shift, I always greet each passenger with a smile to convey trust and warmth from the moment they step on board.”

Ensuring passengers' comfort and safety is a top priority for Ma. She meticulously notes areas with uneven roads, complex traffic conditions, or high passenger traffic for careful driving. Through timely reminders, patient waiting and safe driving practices, Ma narrowed the distance with passengers, earning unanimous praise for her service.

Recalling her election as an NPC deputy last year, she said that she takes it a significant responsibility entrusted by the people.

"Figuring out how to fulfill my duties as an NPC deputy has been a top priority for me since being elected," Ma said. Initially feeling the weight of her new role, she approached it with the same determination she had when learning to drive, seeking solutions through study and practice to enhance her performance.

Coming from the grassroots, where she interacts frequently with the public, Ma views the bus as a mobile platform for collecting public opinions. These daily interactions provide her with valuable insights into the thoughts, concerns and aspirations of the grassroots population, forming the basis for the suggestions she submitted to the NPC sessions.

In her first year of the tenure, Ma submitted two suggestions — one on accelerating the introduction of urban public transportation management regulations and the other on enhancing public support for bus drivers.

"I had mixed feelings − wondering whether my suggestions would be recognized and whether they would genuinely contribute to the development of urban public transportation," Ma said.

Her doubts and concerns quickly dissipated as her suggestions received high attention and feedback from relevant departments. "I truly feel the honor and responsibility of being an NPC deputy," Ma said.

With her first year of experience, Ma has become more adept at her role as an NPC deputy. She diligently records questions, challenges and solutions encountered during work and research in a notebook. Within a year, her notebook has been brimming with insights.

With her unwavering dedication to her role, Ma submitted a suggestion to the second session of the 14th NPC in March of this year, advocating for increased support to implement policies and advance urban public transportation development.

She recalled that last year, Jilin city, with its renowned ice and snow attractions, drew tourists nationwide. The Jilin City Public Transportation Group introduced themed carriages to promote ice and snow tourism, local specialties, cultural heritage and urban development, enhancing both visitor experiences and showcasing the city's rich cultural and tourism resources.

"As a public transportation worker, I feel proud and understand that public transportation mirrors a city's civilization. That's why I proposed advacing public transportation to contribute to urban development," Ma said.

Ma said that her role as an NPC deputy has provided her with unique life experiences, making it the most cherished memory of her life. She said that in this position, she effectively translates the voices of the people into government concerns, embodying her commitment to serving the public.

Li Zhaorui and Meng Wei contributed to this story.