Momentum For Change Podcast

This podcast takes a closer look at the Guangzhou bus rapid transit system in China. The system is exceptional, in that it carries more than three times the single-direction passengers than any other similar system in Asia. It is also the second busiest in the world after Bogota’s bus system in Colombia. More than 1 million people use Guangzhou’s bus system every day, with one bus arriving at the station every 10 seconds. The system provides a subway-like level of service and speed, but using buses rather than fixed rail trains. Bus rapid transit systems are especially appealing to rapidly growing cities because they are more than 10 times cheaper than subway systems to build and operate, and can be built much faster. To tell us about the transit system, we spoke to Duan Xiaomei, Chief Engineer from the Guangzhou Municipal Engineering, Design and Research Institute.