Happy bus shelters appear in Beijing

Are you happy? You can express your feelings by pressing the laughing or crying face while waiting for the bus. On July 5, the first batch of interactive bus shelters appeared in Beijing, indicating that residents can now take part and express themselves while waiting for the bus.

On July 5, at the Dongshixikou Bus Stop, a man puts his hand on  the laughing face on a "happy bus shelter."

On July 5, at the Dongshixikou Bus Stop, a lady puts her hand on  the laughing face. The first batch of interactive bus shelters  had appeared around Beijing. The test attracted waiting passengers  and passers-by alike. Whenever someone presses a laughing or crying  face, the number on the happy or unhappy counter will increase by  one. The test has already been conducted in five cities, including  Guangzhou and Shanghai and 3.7 million people have taken part.  Beijing will be the last stop for the test.

Most Beijingers in the test are “happy”

On the morning of July 5, interactive bus shelters appeared in Beijing, the last stop for the nationwide activity. At a happy bus shelter in Dongshixikou, a testing board showing the “Beijing happiness index” attracted passers-by. When someone presses the laughing or crying face, LED lights representing happiness or unhappiness flash, and the number on the counter increases by one.

The activities sponsor said that currently, happy bus shelters have been set up at 10 downtown bus stops, namely; Xiaoliangmaqiao, Dongshixikou, Hujialounan, Chaoyangmenwai, Dongdaqiaolukou, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Dongsishitiao, Jiaodaokou, Guandongdian and Worker’s Stadium (Gongrentiyuchang) Bus Stop.

Up to 3:00pm on July 5, a total of 10,557 residents had expressed their feelings. Of these, 56.05 percent were happy and 43.95 percent were unhappy. Of the 10 testing areas, the “happiness index” of Xiaoliangmaqiao Bus Stop ranked first with 66.48 percent, while the “happiness index” of Beijing Children’s Hospital Bus Stop was lowest with only 47.19 percent.

Temporarily Shanghai ranks first among “happy cities”

In the first half of the year, the happy bus shelter test was conducted in five cities, including Guangzhou and Shanghai with 3.7 million participants. Of the five cities, Shanghai is temporarily the “happiest city” with an index of 55.5 percent.

Translated by LOTO