ANN/ CHINA DAILY – Feng Zhiliang, a 43-year-old bus driver from Handan city in Hebei province, China, has gained attention online for delivering bus announcements in both Chinese and English, according to China National Radio.
His idea to use bilingual announcements was sparked by a conversation with a foreign passenger during the Spring Festival.
“I said ‘Hello, Happy New Year’ to him, and he gave me a thumbs-up and replied, ‘Very good, Happy New Year’,” Feng recalled.
Noticing a significant number of foreign passengers on the bus he operates, Feng decided to use English at work to enhance service quality.
However, learning English from scratch was not easy. He registered for online courses, explored various English materials, and utilised translation software. He also made time for learning by setting aside an hour every night after work and using his 20-minute work break during the daytime for practice.
After three years of learning, Feng started bilingual broadcasting first during the evening rush hour. “I was a bit nervous at first. The support and praise from passengers encouraged me to keep going,” Feng said.
With a travel distance of 21.6 kilometres, the bus route includes 60 stops that pass by local well-known historical and cultural spots, as well as an art gallery, a commercial district, and a train station.
In order to provide passengers with a richer travel experience, Feng referred to the tour guide manual and started giving out detailed information about nearby sights along the route.
Now, Feng has a following of supporters, some of whom specially choose to ride the bus he drives.
Feng hopes that his bilingual broadcasts can help more tourists learn about Handan and fall in love with this city.
“Although we are in ordinary positions, we can make contributions to the society and make our lives fulfilling and meaningful,” Feng said.
