New school bus service promises safety - at a price

A specialized school bus rental firm that claims to be the first of its kind on the Chinese mainland started operation in Guangzhou on Monday, aiming to tap into a market largely not served by high-quality vehicles.

The company has 16 buses in four sizes and all meet the national safety and technical standard for school buses introduced in May, said Li Jianmin, president of Guangdong Tongan Automobile Rental Service.

Imported or domestically produced, each bus is equipped with a global positioning system device, child card reader and vehicle data recorder. They all have a front bumper, emergency escape doors, windows and hammers, emergency lamps and seat belts.