Free bus launched in SW China city

People can ride a free bus from 5 am to 7 am in the downtown area of Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan province, in a bid to ease the city's heavy traffic in rush hours, Voice of China reported Monday.

Residents with travel cards are allowed to take a free ride but can only do so once for each bus.

The free bus scheme will last for two months from July 1.

In addition, the Chengdu authorities plan to launch 60 free transit lines shuttling around the city's major residential community areas, commercial districts, schools, and hospitals as well as enterprise and institutional locations before the National Day.