Chen Yan, head of the Operation and Maintenance Department at Ningxia Transportation Investment Group Co in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region and a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), has made a remarkable journey from a road maintenance worker to a national lawmaker.

Reflecting on her early days in the workforce, Chen said she was inspired by the motto "maintaining the roads well to ensure smooth traffic" posted at the workplace entrance.

In 2000, Chen transitioned to the position of toll booth operator. Through dedication and hard work, she rose to the position of manager at Zhongwei North Toll Station. Tasked with managing internal operations and fostering teamwork among more than 90 employees, Chen embraced the new responsibilities wholeheartedly.

During a study tour of toll stations in other provinces, Chen observed a significant gap in service quality between Ningxia's highway toll booth operations and those of more developed regions, which prompted her to work out a strategy on enhancing service quality and building a distinctive brand.

She rolled out a "1+3" brand promotion model in her toll station, focusing on meticulous management, image improvement and enhancing staff professionalism.

To improve service and ease traffic flow, she spearheaded collaboration with local tourism authorities and provided reservation passage services for self-driving tourists during peak travel seasons, which has led to improved traffic efficiency.

Having dedicated herself to the toll station for over two decades, Chen's hard work was further recognized last year when she was appointed to oversee toll fee collection and highway service area operation at her company's operation and maintenance department. Her goal remains to contribute high-quality services and ensure sound travel experiences for the public.

In 2023, she was elected as an NPC deputy. As a lawmaker from the grassroots, Chen has concentrated on issues related to highways, particularly concerning challenges of highway debt pressure in regions like Ningxia.

She said that a key issue lies in the disparity between highway toll rates and the progress of local economic and social development. Accordingly, she put forward suggestions on accelerating the revision to the highway law and toll management regulations, refining regulations on adjusting fee periods, improving the unified loan repayment system and appropriately channeling more support to economically underdeveloped provinces and western regions.

"I was born in a village, and have rooted myself in the transportation sector ever since I started working," she said.

"I am deeply aware of the vital role that transportation plays in fostering rural economic prosperity, promoting agricultural development and enhancing the living standards of farmers.”

She highlighted the significance of well-maintained rural roads in facilitating agricultural and industrial activities, emphasizing the need to increase funding for rural road maintenance and infrastructure development to enhance the quality of life for rural residents.

Chen said she will remain committed to her duty as an NPC deputy, refine her skills, elevate service standards, speak for the public and provide constructive suggestions for the well-being of people at the grassroots level as well as the sound development of the transportation sector.

Chen Yan, head of the Operation and Maintenance Department at Ningxia Transportation Investment Group Co in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region and a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, talks with her teammates. [Photo provided to npc.gov.cn]

Ding Zizhe contributed to this story.