Ma Xiujuan is an NPC deputy representing Jilin province. [Photo/Cailian News]

On a freezing morning in Jilin city, Northeast China's Jilin province, Bus No 60 rolled out of the terminal, with Ma Xiujuan at the wheel, focused and steady. To her, the bus is more than transportation – it is a moving channel of public opinion. A passenger's casual remark about fewer buses or a colleague's concern over performance reviews never escapes her notice. After work, these fragments become neatly written notes in her duty journal.

In 2023, Ma was elected as a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, transitioning from driver to national lawmaker, which brought pressure but also purpose, as she stated, "It is an honor and a responsibility." With resilience shaped by decades behind the wheel, she immersed herself in research and consultations, quickly growing into her new role.

Her proposals are firmly rooted in grassroots realities, from urban public transport legislation to greater care for bus drivers. With over 400,000 accident-free kilometers and more than 20 years of service, Ma continues to listen – on the bus and beyond – determined to carry the voices of ordinary people to the national stage.