Three customized bus (Smart Bus) routes will begin running in Zhuhai on July 30 directly to highly visited destinations at peak times on a fixed schedule.

Passengers should follow the WeChat account of Zhuhai Bus (ID: zhuhaibus) and purchase tickets from that platform at least 30 minutes before departure. Using big data analysis, ticketing machines on buses will process fares upon presentation of a digital ticket.

Tickets for the Smart Bus routes cost eight yuan ($1.20). A promotional price of 5 yuan (74 cents) is available during the first month of trial operation. Buses arrive at designated stations 10 minutes early and leave on time, with few or no stops. By using the BRT lane, the Smart Bus is to provide rapid service.

Smart Bus routes begin soon [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Information about direction of passenger flow, crowded bus stops, peak hours, and bus IC card use data has been analyzed to determine specific lines, according to Yu Rongjun, head of Zhuhai Public Transport Group's Operation Department.

Note that the bus stops are different from standard ones.

Route 1

Baijiao Development Zone (Doumen) -- Gongbei Checkpoint

Baijiao: 7 am, 7:05 am

Gongbei Checkpoint: 6 pm, 6:05 pm

Route 2

Jing'an Town (Doumen) -- Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort

Jing'an: 7:05 am

Chimelong: 5:30 pm

Route 3

Jinding (Tangjiawan) -- Hengqin New Area

Jinding: 6:40 am

Hengqin: 5:25 pm