More than 12,000 senior citizens in Shenzhen have obtained certificates that entitle them to free bus travel, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported Thursday.

The Shenzhen association for the elderly began issuing certificates Oct. 1, to male senior citizens over 70 and female senior citizens above 65. But they must have Shenzhen hukou or a permanent residence permit.

There are about 48,000 senior citizens eligible for the certificates, association director Ou Xiju said.

Ou hoped eligible residents would apply to the association for certificates.

Meanwhile, people of eligible age but without hukou say they want the same benefit.

The association said it was considering extending the privilege to non-permanent residents.

Previously, the association had granted certificates to 67,800 permanent residents (males above 65, females above 60) entitling them to more than 10 privileges.

 
(Shenzhen Daily November 21, 2003)