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SANTIAGO, Aug. 3-- There's lots of love for Chinese electric buses from commuters in Chile's capital Santiago. Incorporating Chinese-made electric buses into Santiago's transportation fleet "has been tremendously positive in many ways," said Gloria Hutt, Chilean Minister of Transport and Communications. "What mattered most to us was the evaluation of the passengers, which was excellent," said Hutt, noting that the commuters gave the Chinese buses an average 6.3 rating on a scale of 1-7, which surpassed Santiago's subway, the capital's former best-rated mass transit system. Some 203 Chinese-made electric buses have joined the city's transit fleet since December 2018, helping cut down air pollution and noise and reduce future public expenses. The red-and-white fleet is 100 percent electric, air-conditioned, and equipped with Wi-Fi and USB ports. Passengers "have really taken good care of them ... they feel the journey is much better," said Hutt, noting the lack of scratches and graffiti. Incorporating Chinese-made electric buses into Santiago's transportation fleet marked a "very radical" transformation in the quality of the capital's mass transit system, she said. The fleet's operating costs are "significantly lower" than the ones powered by conventional fuel, which is expected to spur other bus operators to turn to electric vehicles. The batch also contributes to the government's environmental goals, said the minister. | 
