On July 18, the first free agricultural-support bus route officially launched in Chini Town, Huadu District, Guangzhou, allowing villagers to bring their homegrown produce to and from the market. The service includes two dedicated routes—Liantang and Shanhu—precisely covering nine villages and benefiting over 20,000 local residents. On August 1, a journalist boarded this bus, finding it filled with baskets of fruits and vegetables, while the laughter of villagers echoed throughout this heartwarming journey from rural fields to bustling market stalls.
Staff members help passengers board, while a designated area at the market makes selling easy. Around 5:40 a.m., the bus's headlights illuminated the country roads as its engine hummed closer. Villagers, who had been waiting at the stops, quickly adjusted their baskets and picked up their bags, ready to board. As the door opened, staff stepped off first to help lift the heavy loads, neatly arranging them in the aisle between seats. Soon, winter melons, lemons, ginger, leafy greens, and even caged chickens and ducks filled half the bus. Most of the passengers were farmers, and instead of the usual morning rush-hour congestion, the bus carried the fresh scent of soil and rural life. Chini Town, located in northwestern Huadu, is a typical agricultural hub with 30 administrative villages, some of which are about 15 kilometers from the town center. The two routes—Liantang and Shanhu—were launched on July 18 to facilitate the transport of agricultural products from villages to the city, departing every Saturday at 6 a.m. The Liantang line starts from Menkoukeng Village, passing through Litang Economic Cooperative, Litang Village Committee, Liantang Village, Lantian Zhongdong, Lantian Village, and Hetang Village. The Shanhu line begins from Xibian Village, stopping at Luowu Village, Shanhu Bus Stop, Shanhu Li, Baini Muguanzhuang, and Baini Maolan Station. Both routes end at the Bajiang Street area, where a dedicated sales zone for agricultural products has been set up, allowing farmers to sell their goods immediately upon arrival without the hassle of searching for a stall or competing for space.
Taking the agricultural-support bus to the market saves time and effort for elderly villagers. "I'm so happy to ride this bus—it's really convenient for us," said 74-year-old Luo Yi, who was the first to board with two large bags: one containing over 20 jin of lemons and ginger, and the other holding a steelyard scale. She is a newcomer to market selling, recently starting to sell lemons from her own garden. "Before this bus, my children worried about me traveling far alone. Now, with this free bus, I can come out to sell by myself and even take the return trip without any worries." Zhang Shu, a 63-year-old seasoned seller, arrived on a tricycle with his goods. He often brings his home-raised chickens and ducks to the market, and this time he carried a heavy basket with seven chickens and three ducks. He noted that the Saturday bus makes it much easier to go to the market. Most passengers on the bus are elderly, around 60 to 70 years old, all heading to the market. The bus is somewhat crowded, but air conditioning keeps it from being too stuffy. One villager remarked, "As long as there's space for the goods, I don't mind standing." Others expressed a desire for more storage space for their produce. By just before 7 a.m., the bus had arrived at the "Chaoyong Bajiang" area, where volunteers helped unload the goods and set up in the designated sales zone. No one needed to hawk their wares; fresh greens still covered in morning dew sold quickly at two yuan per bunch, and homemade stinky vinegar sold out before 8 a.m. Most farmers finished selling before 11 a.m., and after a short wait, they boarded the return bus at 11:30 a.m.
The agricultural products are sold in a dedicated area. A support vehicle accompanied the test run to ensure the route design was convenient and thoughtful. At 6 a.m. on August 1, the agricultural-support bus departed on time. Driver Deng, who has been driving buses for over a decade, was handling this route for the first time. He focused on one thing: driving slowly and steadily, prioritizing safety over speed. "The village roads are uneven. If the bus jolts too much, it might damage the farmers' hard-earned produce, and that would weigh on my heart," he said. Before 6 a.m., the bus arrived at Menkoukeng Village. Each route is staffed with a supporter who helps passengers load and unload goods at every stop, carefully arranging the cargo to prevent damage while ensuring there is space for passengers to sit. In the early stages of the route, a support vehicle followed behind, monitoring the entire journey to identify and resolve any issues, ensuring the bus runs smoothly. During the ride, a heartwarming detail emerged: around 6:30 a.m., the bus stopped at Liantang Village Station, which is located inside the village rather than on the main road. Although this detour adds time, it greatly benefits the villagers. Previously, farmers from Menkoukeng Village had to cycle 30 minutes to Liantang Village to catch the H15 bus to the town center. Now, the agricultural-support bus reaches the village entrance, reducing travel costs and bringing high-quality fruits, vegetables, poultry, and local specialties directly to the town market, bridging the "first mile" from farm to market. "We pick them up happily and send them back the same way," Deng said, noting the meaningful nature of this route. In the morning, Luo Yi had worried aloud, "It's raining today—I wonder if I'll sell everything." By lunchtime, she returned with a beaming smile. "I sold it all! I finished just in time to wait a bit and then board the bus home." Chen Yi, who had brought winter melons to sell, also cleared her stock and even bought some daily necessities at the market. Around 12:20 p.m., the bus returned to Menkoukeng Village, with most farmers' homes just a few hundred meters from the stop. Chen Yi showed a reporter her vegetable patch, where three winter melons still hung on the vine. She plans to bring them to the market next Saturday. On the return trip, the empty baskets lightened the bus, and the passengers' spirits were equally carefree.
Farmers pay no fares, and quality produce no longer goes to waste. These buses, shuttling between urban and rural areas, are supported by four enterprises that ensure the free service can operate sustainably without charging farmers a single cent. Ou Guoxing, general manager of Guangzhou Yindou Fangxiang Technology Co., Ltd., stated that the idea for the route originated from a "village visit" series of activities. During visits to villages in Chini Town, staff discovered that remote villages like Xibian and Menkoukeng lacked direct bus routes to the town center. Many farmers had high-quality fruits, vegetables, and local specialties but struggled to transport them due to poor access, relying on bicycles or electric scooters. In bad weather, it was even harder, and much of the produce spoiled in the fields—a sight that was distressing. After identifying this urgent need, the team quickly conceived the idea of dedicated routes. From planning to launch, it took less than a month. After field surveys and route tests, the Liantang and Shanhu lines were finalized, targeting the most underserved villages. The timing of departures and returns was carefully considered: departing at 6 a.m. allowed farmers to arrive before the morning market opened, seizing the best selling time; returning at 11:30 a.m. gave them enough time to sell and still have time to shop for supplies. "The route is currently in a trial phase. The team will continue to visit villages, gather feedback, and optimize the route and schedule, gradually expanding coverage," said a relevant official. In the future, the goal is not only to help farmers sell their goods in town via the bus but also to use digital channels to bring Chini's quality agricultural products to broader markets, truly delivering benefits to the people. From the H5 bus route that detoured three minutes for vegetable farmers to the free agricultural-support bus connecting towns and villages, Huadu District has demonstrated its commitment to people-centered services and practical action. This detour and these two dedicated routes have truly brought the bus into the village and the stops to the fields. The wheels roll forward, carrying morning dew and hope, steadily advancing along a path of rural revitalization filled with warmth.
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