The long-distance sleeper buses that travel through time have been a warm haven for countless workers
From the 1990s to the early 21st century, with the booming development of China's economy, sleeper buses have become the first choice for long-distance travel with their unique charm. Since its birth in 1989, sleeper buses have quickly swept the country with their efficiency, convenience and high cost-effectiveness. In just ten years, they have become a must-have model for inter-provincial passenger routes. In 1997, sleeper buses accounted for more than 7,200 units of the sales of medium and large buses nationwide. For many people, if they have not experienced sleeper buses, it seems that life lacks some kind of integrity.
Combination of comfort and practicality
Sleeper buses, also known as double-decker buses, are not traditional seats inside the carriage, but small beds for passengers to rest for long distances. Faced with the situation that high-speed rail has not yet been popularized and train lines are imperfect, sleeper buses have become the first choice for people traveling across provinces with their cost-effectiveness. Whether sitting and reading or taking a short nap, it can make the long journey much easier. In comparison, the long-term sitting posture of ordinary buses seems unbearable.
Affordable price, high cost performance
From the 1990s to the 2000s, the cost of taking a sleeper bus was relatively low, and long-distance travel could basically be done within 100 yuan. Compared with trains and planes, sleeper buses have more outstanding cost performance. However, despite this, sleeper buses also have their limitations that cannot be ignored.
Narrow space and poor air quality
In order to accommodate more beds, the space of sleeper buses has become extremely crowded, and there is almost no place to store luggage, making it difficult for passengers to move in a small space. The closed compartment design and limited ventilation facilities make the air quality in the car poor, especially in summer, the smell of sweat, shoes and socks and leather goods mixed together, making the compartment a mobile "odor concentration area". Sitting or lying for a long time may also cause motion sickness, discomfort and other health problems.
Times change, elimination is inevitable
With the diversification of transportation such as high-speed rail, airplanes and cars, sleeper buses have gradually lost their market. The speed and comfort of high-speed rail far exceed that of buses, and the price is gradually becoming more affordable. Since 2012, the country has stopped the production and sale of sleeper buses. Safety considerations and the protection of passengers' lives have become the key factors in eliminating this mode of transportation. The disappearance of sleeper buses is not only a change of times, but also a reflection of the upgrading of people's living standards and needs.
Although nostalgia arises spontaneously, the disappearance of sleeper buses marks the end of an era and also heralds a better future.
