A new autonomous bus line was launched on Dongfeng Road in the Yuexiu District of Guangzhou, with trial operations beginning on April 29 at 7 PM. This marks Guangzhou's first autonomous bus route on a major urban road in the city center and the first focused on culture and tourism.

Around 10 PM on April 28, the bus route sign was illuminated at the intersection of Zhongshan 1st Road and Meidong Road, near Exit D of Yangji Metro Station. The buses, which can accommodate six passengers each, feature vibrant lion designs and are themed in red, green, yellow, and purple.

The route spans 13.6 kilometers, connecting key locations such as Dongjun Plaza, Yuexiu Bridge, and Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. At the Meidong Road Terminal, passengers can transfer to Metro Lines 1 and 5, while at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall station, transter to Metro Line 2.

During the trial period, the buses operate every 20 minutes from 7 PM to 9 PM. Tickets are priced at 10 yuan per person, with a 50% discount available during the trial. Passengers can pay using the Yang Cheng Tong card or the NFC service.

Equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving technology, the buses utilize LiDAR, cameras, and other systems for 360-degree awareness. Safety officers are on board to monitor the service. This initiative is part of Guangzhou's ongoing efforts to expand autonomous transport, which has served over 1.13 million passengers since the project's inception in December 2023.

By the end of 2024, Guangzhou launched 10 autonomous bus routes, including lines serving areas around Guangzhou International Bio Island, Canton Tower, and Pazhou, covering key districts like Huangpu, Haizhu, and Tianhe. These services have collectively transported over 1.13 million passengers, with cumulative mileage reaching more than 2.01 million kilometers.

Photo | Nanfang Plus