In recent years, security “service managers” have appeared on Beijing buses, replacing ticket sellers, a move that has increasingly sparked discontent among Beijing residents, who are calling for the removal of bus security personnel. Social observers believe that this reflects the divisiveness in society caused by the Chinese Communist Party’s stability maintenance system.
Recently, a video titled “Anger towards Beijing Bus Security” has gone viral on the internet, questioning the necessity of having security personnel on Beijing buses. The video alleges that some security personnel have poor personal hygiene habits, with dirty clothes, dozing off, sweating profusely, and emitting body odor as if they haven’t showered for days, which affects passengers’ experience, damages the overall image of the security industry, and pollutes the civilized environment. The video argues that the criticism against bus security is “self-inflicted.”
However, some security personnel commented in the video, stating that their work is very demanding, with no rest days; some mentioned working 16-hour shifts, while others said they work 10-hour shifts daily, leading to a lack of time for personal hygiene. Additionally, the security companies only provide one uniform, resulting in situations where uniforms become dirty and there’s no time to wash or change them.
Beijing residents are demanding the removal of bus security and the reinstatement of Beijing residents with official residency as ticket sellers. Some netizens in Beijing expressed, “All bus staff members in Beijing have lost their jobs, let them take over. We hope to abolish bus security and bring back ticket sellers.”
It is noted that initially, there used to be ticket sellers on Beijing buses. In 2016, after a passenger was killed in a stabbing incident at Jing Shu Yuan Station on Academy Road, all buses in Beijing were equipped with a safety officer, and metro carriages also had security personnel.
Initially, the security “service managers” on buses were mostly young individuals, but now many of them are older, with some even falling asleep while standing. Some netizens jokingly refer to these security personnel as “sleep-securities.” Netizens have collected numerous photos of bus security personnel dozing off, suggesting that “security work is really easy, just sleeping every day and still earning money.”
As the public’s opinions reach the ears of bus and security companies, they have begun to enhance the management of security personnel, including downsizing. The video account believes that the reduction in bus security personnel is a clear indication of financial constraints, where extensive stability maintenance expenses have led to financial difficulties, resulting in a situation where income is less than expenditure. Increasing security and safety investments without limits will have a disastrous impact on Beijing’s local finances.
Lao Feng (pseudonym) has been a security guard in Beijing for many years. Recently, Lao Feng confirmed to a reporter that they work 14 hours a day without a break, and only receive one uniform.
In February this year, Lao Feng worked as a bus security guard on Beijing Bus Route 1. He would wake up at 5 a.m., sleep at 11 p.m., eat salted vegetable pancakes, and sometimes there wasn’t enough food, just a box of rice, earning a monthly wage of 200 yuan.
A recent job posting for a security guard in Beijing on a job recruitment platform stated requirements: age between 18 and 62, no gender preference, meals and accommodation provided, free uniforms and bedding, various shift options ranging from 4 to 12 hours, matching according to height and age. Security guards are needed for residential areas, offices, parks, banks, state-owned enterprises, offices, malls, schools, construction sites, factories, metro, buses, supermarkets, parks, concerts, basketball games, soccer matches, and other events.
In response, Lao Feng warned, “Don’t fall into this trap, you won’t know until you try it. I did it for 10 days and then quit. Waking up earlier than roosters, sleeping later than dogs. The food had no taste, the living conditions worse than a prison. Eight people in one room, 12 square meters, terrible environment and unbearable smell.
He mentioned that as he has grown older, earning high wages as a security guard is difficult, with only around 4,000 yuan per month. So, he works as a security guard during the day and delivers takeout at night, feeling exhausted. “Security work is very tough, with added responsibilities at each step.”
Lao Feng has also worked on construction sites and as a handyman. He mentioned that the job market is tough this year, but he doesn’t want to leave Beijing as it’s even harder elsewhere.
Beijing observer Lu Feng told reporters that Beijing’s bus companies were instructed to hire security personnel by higher authorities in exchange for benefits, leading to the current issues with bus security in Beijing. Security guards are generally hired by security companies for supervision purposes, displacing job opportunities for Beijing residents.
He explained that Beijing’s bus company (the bus group) is a state-owned enterprise, where ticket sellers were part of the formal employment structure, with the company providing insurance and salaries. In terms of profession and income, security guards receive lower pay compared to ticket sellers. Despite this, the overall expenses for the bus company have not decreased, as the money still needs to be paid to the security company, resulting in corruption and profiteering at both ends, thus the root of the problem.
“In some peripheral areas of Beijing, there are specialized agencies recruiting non-locals to work as security guards, creating a series of profit exchanges. Ultimately, when the money reaches the security personnel, it’s very minimal, and they suffer a lot,” he added.
Regarding the public’s criticism of bus security in Beijing, Lu Feng expressed understanding, stating, “Forget asking them for directions, sometimes when there’s a minor issue with the bus, a quick fix can resolve it, but security personnel often lack the necessary knowledge. This leads to humorous incidents like when the driver tells them to close the door at the next stop, and the security guard asks ‘where’s the door?’ The driver ends up scolding them, asking why they are even there, adding to the list of jokes.”
“In reality, it’s a situation filled with complaints, but there’s nothing much that can be done because we are witnessing the outcomes of pervasive corruption and decay,” he remarked.
Regarding claims that automated card swiping has displaced ticket sellers, Lu Feng disagreed. He emphasized that while automated processes have been introduced, having a human presence at the ticket counter is essential since each bus always has new passengers. Security personnel often don’t understand each stop, and this impacts familiarity with the operation. Previously, ticket sellers were warm and welcoming, advising passengers on where to board and contributing to a sense of intimacy.
Lu Feng pointed out that security personnel and ticket sellers have different job natures. Security guards are responsible for safety, and sometimes several individuals are needed per bus, with even more people on metro carriages. Additionally, some areas have real police officers in the public security bureau who board buses for a few stops, creating a false sense of improved security, while actually intimidating the public.
“Having ticket sellers in that position assures passengers of guidance and facilitation in purchasing tickets, providing numerous benefits. Bus security personnel, on the other hand, do not have legal authority, bring trouble to passengers, and further divide society. Consequently, the nature of security personnel clearly isn’t sustainable and evokes fear in the public. China’s society as a whole is fractured, and further division is no longer sustainable,” he concluded.