Guiyang expands 'Huinong Bus' network to boost rural connectivity

State-owned Guiyang Public Transport Co launched 27 new "Huinong" (benefiting farmers) bus routes in the first half of this year, meeting its 2025 target and bringing the total to 34 since the route's opening in 2024.

The Wuxing village route in Huaxi district began operations in March after Guiyang Public Transport Co worked with five surrounding villages to design stops that suited commuters and produce sellers. A WeChat group now allows villagers to report next-day travel needs, enabling flexible vehicle dispatch. Following further consultations with market authorities, a temporary vegetable market was set up near a metro station to provide farmers with fixed stalls.

The Yongle township route begins running at 5:50 am, transporting peaches, cucumbers, and corn directly to the city's wholesale market and bringing tourists into villages. Since its launch in June, it has served nearly 600 farmers and carried about 500 crates of produce.

Guiyang's 34 Huinong routes fall into four categories: agricultural transport, daily commuting, market-day services, and rural tourism. Collectively, they average 87 trips and over 4,000 passengers daily, moving more than 350 items of cargo.

Route designs are customized to meet local needs, such as raised bus stop seats for farmers' baskets. The company intends to improve services, replicate successful model lines, and incorporate "bus + culture, tourism, and agriculture" to develop a unified network that connects urban prosperity with rural vitalization.