On the Mid-Autumn Festival, September 10, the transformed final stop on Wanhangdu Road in Zhongshan Park, along with 22 retro-styled, new energy buses on Bus 20, made its debut before the citizens. In celebration of the 20th CPC National Congress, the route heralds a fresh start with new stations, buses, looks, and a renewed journey for Shanghai's transportation industry on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival and Teacher's Day.

    Accompanied by the melodic prelude of "ding-ding" station announcements, today marks the official commencement of operations on Bus 20. As history and modernity blend, the distance between skyscrapers and shikumen (a traditional Shanghainese architectural style combining Western and Chinese elements) feels like a mere thought away.

    On March 5, 1908, Shanghai's first tramline officially opened. Operated by Shanghai Electric Construction Co., Ltd., the route spanned 6.04 kilometers from Jing'an Temple to the Shanghai Club Building (now Guangdong Road on the Bund), laying the foundation for Bus 20. This bus route, known as "ridden by 9 out of 10 Shanghainese", connects the essence of the city and bears the collective memories of Shanghai residents.

    The newly introduced buses on Bus 20 feature a retro design known as "Shanghai Impression". To create a culturally resonant public transit route, the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, the Shanghai Municipal Road Transport Administrative Bureau, and other departments sought public input at the end of last year. Through forms like online voting, the distinctive appearance of the new electric buses that was widely acknowledged by citizens stood out among the other three.

    The transformation along Bus 20 reflects the nostalgia of several generations and serves as a microcosm of Shanghai's urban evolution. The introduction of new buses has drawn many regular passengers eager to get early access. The retro-themed model, named "Shanghai Impression", incorporates elements from the evolution of tram equipment over the years. The side of the bus intricately depicts the significant transformations and historical landscapes of Shanghai's tram system over the past century. This innovative design has also garnered praise and recognition from numerous bus enthusiasts, with some of them arriving at Zhongshan Park Station before 5 a.m. to witness the departure of the first new bus on the route.

    The interior embraces a "Nostalgic Times" theme, featuring a predominant Shanghai-style blue color scheme that echoes with the external paint. This highlights an elegant and refined decorative art style, embodying the ambiance of the blue-tone Shanghainese culture. The use of LED ambient lighting within the vehicle captures the vibrancy and technological atmosphere of nighttime Shanghai. The welcoming feeling is enhanced by the ground-level courtesy lights when the front passenger door opens. Additionally, the vehicle retains the "little braid" familiar to Shanghai residents.

    Although the new model boasts a "retro" exterior, its "inner core" is filled with technological advancements and a touch of humanistic care. The bus incorporates a new generation of intelligent pneumatic lifting poles, allowing the driver to perform routine lifting operations without leaving the vehicle, and is also equipped with a robust power battery. In terms of intelligence, features such as 360-degree high-definition surround view, forward brake warning and assistance, throttle misstep prevention, right blind spot monitoring, lane change assistance, and driver monitoring ensure the safety of vehicle operations. The entire bus is designed with a low-floor barrier-free layout, including accessible ramps and a wheelchair area, demonstrating humanistic concern for elderly and disabled passengers.