40 years on: Kunming locals tell changes in travelling vehicle

Episode 4

In the 1970s, trolleybuses in Kunming were made in Tianjin and in the early 1980s some were made in Kunming. 

Over the bus, there were two long wires, which would drop if the bus was not driven smoothly. Then the driver would go atop the bus and gently fix the wire with a stick.

Gasoline-powered buses came in late 1980s, together with conductors and bus fares ranging from 2 to10 Chinese cents.

In the 1990s, double-decker buses debuted in Kunming, making a hit. 

"Now we have e-buses that are green, stable and quiet. Retired, I get a senior's card and free bus-ride. ”

——Mo Min (aged 67)

Episode 5

Having work for three years, I wanted a driver’s license in 1987, but the training cost nearly 10,000 yuan, very expensive back then.

"Since we’d never afford you a car, what’s the use of the license,” said my father, echoing the family’s opposition.

But I managed to pay it off with my savings and an 8,000-yuan loan.

With the license, I quitted my job and drove a Kunming-Guangzhou truck, and each round-trip brought me 600 yuan.

Then I opened a garage on Minhang Road in Kunming and later several others were set up.

The car used to be something luxurious, but now almost every family has one. I didn’t expect it. 

My business thrived and I bettered off a lot. My life wouldn’t have improved so much, if I had not stuck to my pioneering idea.

"Now people still admire my courage to quit, but who knows the effort and trials behind my glory.”

---Zhang Guoan (aged 56) 

Episode 6

Believe it or not, I first took the subway in 1980s.

That happened in 1983, when my colleagues and I were on a business trip in Beijing.

The elevator at Beijing Station amazed us, and afraid of falling down none of us dared to try that moving steps. We chose to use the traditional stair case and it’s so funny.

We took line 2 to the Forbidden City. The metro was crowded, but we’re very excited and curious.

Back to Kunming, I’ve been dreaming of taking a subway in my own city, and it turned out to be a 30-year dream.

And my dream came true in 2014, when the first Kunming metro line was put to service. Sitting on the steady and brand new train heading for south, I felt bitter-sweet.

"Now I am retired, and I often take the metro with my family to Dounan Flower Market and West Hills. It’s easy and fast! Life for Kunming folks is bettering off.”

——Chen Qingdong (aged 72)

By Zhu Dongran and Wang Shixue