Our 520 is back! "Recently, on a social media platform, there was a news about the opening of Xiamen Bus D520, which has brought back memories for many teachers and students of Xiamen University.
20 years ago, the Zhongba 520 (Yijing Garden Xiamen University Student Apartment) was opened, and in 2012, the 520 route was discontinued from the market; 20 years later, due to traffic organization adjustments, "520" was reintroduced - in response to public demand, D520 road was opened on February 2nd.
The Love Bus in the Hearts of Xiamen University Teachers and Students
Why do teachers and students at Xiamen University have a special fondness for the "520 Road"? This starts with a romantic relationship.
On September 1, 2006, Xiamen Bus Route 520 was put into operation, starting from Xiamen University Student Apartments and ending at Yijing Garden. Due to passing through the main travel routes of Xiamen University faculty and students, Route 520 has always been a "high-frequency word" in the mouths of Xiamen University faculty and students, and because of its homophone "I love you", it is particularly popular among student couples and has become the "love bus" in the minds of many people.
After 6 years of operation, the 520 route also ended its mission due to the gradual delisting of China Pakistan. Xiao Huang, an alumnus of Xiamen University, recalled that on Qixi in 2012, many people went to take a group photo with Road 520 before its mission ended. Subsequently, Route 135 took over the operation of Route 520, with the same route and stopping stations as the original Route 520. Route 520 disappeared from everyone's sight.
Citizens' Vote for Route 520
Nowadays, with the adjustment of transportation organization in Shapowei, teachers and students of Xiamen University are calling for the addition of a bus route to facilitate their travel. But what route number should this new bus route take?
In this regard, everyone's opinions in the questionnaire survey and comment section are surprisingly consistent: they hope to restore the 520 line number.
The people have called out, and I have responded. Xiamen Public Transport Group responded to public opinion and immediately announced the decision to open a customized bus route D520, starting from Xiamen University Student Apartments and ending at Xiamen University (Nanputuo).
It has been exactly 20 years since the first opening of the Xiamen 520 bus route this year. It can be said that the restoration of the 520 line number was voted upon by the citizens.
The reporter noticed that the newly opened D520 customized bus adopts a "Bu Se" body design, with youthful lyrics posted on the windows. Sitting on the bus feels like returning to my student days.
Huang Siqi, the manager of the Business Development Department of Lucheng Bus Group, told reporters that in the future, we will continue to deepen the integration of public transportation, subway, and BRT, dynamically add and optimize new routes, and transform people's livelihood needs into a satisfactory experience for citizens.
A bus line drives a city
The "retirement" and "return" of a bus route surprisingly affect the collective memory of a city. The story of Xiamen Route 520 is not only about adjusting transportation routes, but also a warm narrative about urban emotions, public memory, and humanistic care.
As a "love bus" that once shuttled between the campus of Xiamen University and the streets and alleys of the city, Route 520 has become a youthful moment for countless teachers and students due to its homophonic sound of "I love you". It is not only a commuting tool, but also an emotional symbol. The return of D520 showcases the beauty of listening in public service. Faced with the voices of teachers and students, Xiamen Public Transport recruited public opinion through a questionnaire survey, ultimately bringing the warm numbered "520" back to the streets. This is not a simple replica of nostalgia, but a response to the emotional needs of citizens.
The youthful lyrics and fresh appearance of the "Bu Se series" in the new carriage not only continue the romantic image of the "love bus", but also adapt to the travel needs of citizens in the new era in the form of customized buses. When D520 once again travels through the streets of Phoenix flowers, it carries not only passengers, but also a memory of the city. This is a gentle practice about the return of love, a silent love letter written by Xiamen to its residents.
