At 10:30am on December 12, “Pengxing” Ship, which serves Shenzhen-Zhongshan water bus, docked silently at No.4 berth at Zhongshan Port, waiting for the incoming passengers.

Zhongshan citizen Ms. Lu, whose husband lives in Shenzhen, walked into the waiting room with her handbag. Since the Shenzhen-Zhongshan water bus opened, she has become the frequent visitor of this route. It takes her just about 2 hours from her work unit in East District to her husband’s dormitory in Shenzhen. The water bus connects Ms.Lu’s twin cities life. 

Shenzhen-Zhongshan water bus traveling from Zhongshan Port to Shenzhen Airport Fuyong ferry terminal was official opened on August 18 this year. The direct waterway traveling time between two places has been shortened to 45 minutes. The route also ends the history of “no direct water route between Shenzhen and Zhongshan”. 

By the end of November, up to 30,956 person-time passengers took the water bus, about half of which were business travelers. The water bus not only provides citizens being in “twin cities life” with a convenient traveling option, but also brings in a more realistic possibility for the Shenzhen-Zhongshan deep integration.

Next month, Zhongshan-Hong Kong Passengers Shipping Company Limited plans to recruit new ship for the service and put it into operation in the end of 2018 or early 2019. The passenger capacities, speed of traveling and comfort degree in cabin are expected to be improved.