TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A Taipei bus operator launched a retro vehicle on the 611 route to celebrate its 55th anniversary, drawing passengers of all ages. The bus features a blue exterior and vintage elements including pull-cord bells, evoking nostalgia among older passengers and curiosity among younger ones. The nostalgic bus has captured widespread attention from Taipei residents seeking a time-traveling journey.
The operator equipped the bus with an "Angel of Safety" (行安天使), a role recreating the service style of early bus conductors, to enhance both passenger experience and safety. These angels assist drivers and guide passengers by reminding them to be cautious and helping them find seats. They also instruct drivers to close doors only when the vehicle is safely parked.
The operator plans to deploy one 611 route bus daily with an Angel of Safety, while other routes will feature this service sporadically. From the 1930s to the 1990s, conductors handled ticketing and announced stops, with a recruitment rate between 3% and 20%, making it a dream job at that time. The profession vanished with the rise of electronic systems, but this initiative allows passengers to relive the past.
Passengers shared mixed reactions to the nostalgic service, with one remarking on the nostalgia evoked by these features and another expressing surprise at seeing a service reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s. Young children found the pull-cord bell particularly novel, while the bus attracts many enthusiasts who make pilgrimage-like visits. One fan shared that conductors had disappeared by the time he was a child and now makes special trips to photograph the bus. ◼