Livelihood Projects resulting in superior bus transport

With 500 brand-new electric buses in service by the New Year, and new routes, customized platforms, and a micro-transit system in the works, the city of Zhuhai is creating much more convenient public transportation services. 

Additional means of commuting are prioritized in the city's "10 Livelihood Projects", which call for 10 more bus routes, a cross-district bus rapid transit (BRT) system, the 500 new electric buses, customized bus routes, and micro-transit routes linking industrial parks with villages.

New routes, customized buses, and micro-transit routes are already in operation. Nineteen additional lines opened this year, almost doubling the number listed in the city's Livelihood Projects plan.

Newly launched "dolphin-like" electric bus [Photo by Chen Xinnian / Zhuhai Daily]

On June 3, a special platform for customized buses in Zhuhai was launched. Early in 2018, the Zhuhai Public Transportation Group started to work with a Hangzhou company to launch tailored bus services for residents, with a group of "smart" buses subsequently put on the road.

With punctuality, no extra stops, bus-only lanes, and reserved seats, these buses have been popular. Three "smart-bus" routes -- Baijiao Development Zone to Gongbei Checkpoint, Doumen's Jing'an Town to Chimelong International Ocean Resort, and Jinding Town of Tangjiawan to Hengqin -- were listed on June 3.

Moreover, micro-transit buses linking industrial parks and residential villages now provide more-convenient services, according to Yu Rongjun. As head of the operations department at Zhuhai Public Transportation Group, Yu cites the opening of Z151 (to and from Nanshui Bus Stop) and Z149 (to and from the Gaolan Port Building) to meet the demands of people at Gaolan Port.

The 500 new electric buses are now being manufactured and they could come into operation by Jan 1.