Commuters in Shanghai will be able to use the most luxurious buses in China starting later this month.

Dazhong Transportation (Group) Company, the city's largest public transportation operator, will put 20 Mercedes Benz buses into service on a line linking the Pudong International Airport with the Galaxy Hotel in Hongqiao area starting January 18.

The buses, cost 1.9 million yuan (US$228,915) each, will be able to serve passengers for more than 12 years, four years more than ordinary buses in the city.

(Shanghai Daily January 2, 2004)