Chongqing — A newly built passenger ferry, the "New Yuzhongke 2180," began its maiden voyage Tuesday morning in Zhong County in southwest China's Chongqing municipality, continuing a long-running river route that serves local farming communities along the Yangtze River.

The "New Yuzhongke 2180" is set to begin service. (Photo/Feng Shan)

The vessel departed at 7 a.m. from Yangdu Wharf, where a launch ceremony drew local residents, officials and maritime authorities. The ferry replaces the aging "Yuzhongke 2180," which has operated on the route since 2013, transporting villagers and their produce between rural areas and urban markets.

The “New Yuzhongke 2180” measures 38.5 meters (126 feet) in length and 6.4 meters (21 feet) in width and can carry up to 150 passengers. The vessel has been redesigned to better accommodate agricultural transport, with expanded storage space for goods such as vegetables carried in traditional bamboo baskets.

The “New Yuzhongke 2180.” (Photo/Feng Shan)

The ferry was built at a cost of 2.52 million yuan (about $350,000), including 1.99 million yuan in funding support from China’s rural water transport development subsidy program under the Ministry of Transport, as well as support from the Chongqing Port and Shipping Administration Center.

The launch ceremony of the “New Yuzhongke 2180.” (Photo/Feng Shan)

The route has long played a key role in local livelihoods. For more than a decade, residents have relied on the service to travel to market, often carrying fresh produce for sale. Despite declining passenger numbers in recent years following the expansion of highway networks, the ferry has continued operating.

Villagers’ baskets aboard the “New Yuzhongke 2180.” (Photo/Feng Shan)

Ticket prices have remained between 4 and 12 yuan (about 55 cents to $1.65), while operating costs for a single trip are about 600 yuan (around $83), placing financial pressure on the service. Even so, operators maintained regular service to meet the needs of local residents.

Safety concerns also increased as the previous vessel aged, due to limitations in engine performance and reduced resistance to strong winds. The new ferry improves safety standards, with stronger structural capacity and the ability to operate in more demanding river conditions.

It is equipped with air conditioning, firefighting systems, anti-slip and heat-insulating features, and onboard Wi-Fi. Its draft has increased from 0.6 meters (2 feet) to 1 meter (3.3 feet), improving stability.

To ensure a smooth transition, local authorities arranged for the older vessel to accompany the new ferry on its inaugural journey to Xishan Wharf, the county seat, to help manage passenger demand on the first day of operation.

Villagers aboard the “New Yuzhongke 2180.” (Photo/Feng Shan)

Infrastructure supporting the route has also improved in recent years. Wharf access roads have been upgraded, and informal riverside trading areas have been relocated into designated markets. Volunteers and local personnel assist passengers, particularly elderly residents, at docking points along the route.

Officials say the upgraded ferry will continue to support rural mobility while contributing to broader efforts to integrate transport, agriculture and tourism development in the area.

With the “New Yuzhongke 2180” now in service, the route is expected to remain an affordable and reliable link for communities along the Yangtze, sustaining both daily travel and local economic activity.

(Zhang Xuege, as an intern, also contributes to this article.)