A new free farmer-friendly bus service in Huadu District's Chini Town officially launched on July 18, with its first route carrying many villagers and their agricultural products for round trips between villages and markets.
The service operates two dedicated agricultural support lines, Lian Tang and Shan Hu, precisely covering nine villages and benefiting over 20,000 nearby residents. On August 1, a journalist joined the bus, which was filled with fruits and vegetables, as villagers shared laughter on this heartwarming journey from the fields to the bustling local market.
Staff help passengers board with their goods, and designated vending areas are set up for selling at the terminus. Around 5:40 AM, the bus lights illuminated the rural roads. Waiting villagers organized their baskets and bags, ready to board. As the doors opened, the accompanying staff members stepped off first, reaching out to take the farmers' heavy loads and neatly arranging them in the aisle between seats. Soon, winter melons, lemons, ginger, greens, and even caged chickens and ducks filled half the bus. Most passengers were farmers, and the atmosphere was filled with the earthy scent of soil and local life, free from the morning rush hour's tension.
Located in northwestern Huadu, Guangzhou, Chini Town is a typical large agricultural town with 30 administrative villages, some of which are about 15 kilometers from the town center. To facilitate the transport of agricultural products from villages to the market, the two lines were launched, operating every Saturday at 6 AM. The Lian Tang line starts at Menkouxia Village and passes through various stops before ending at Bajiang Street. The Shan Hu line begins at Xibian Village, also ending at Bajiang Street. At the terminus, a dedicated farmer-friendly sales zone has been set up, allowing farmers to set up stalls immediately upon arrival, eliminating the need to search for a selling spot.
Villagers found the service convenient and time-saving. 74-year-old Aunt Luo, boarding with two large bags of lemons, ginger, and a scale, expressed her joy. A newcomer to selling at the market, she previously couldn't travel far without her children's concern. Now, she can sell her goods and return independently. 63-year-old Uncle Zhang, an experienced seller, brought seven chickens and three ducks to the market, praising the Saturday bus service. Most passengers were elderly residents in their sixties and seventies. Though slightly crowded, the air-conditioned bus remained comfortable. Some villagers suggested adding more space for goods. By 7 AM, the bus had arrived at the "Chaoyong Bajiang" street, where volunteers helped unload goods. The fresh produce sold quickly, with two bunches of greens fetching just two yuan. Homemade stinky vinegar sold out before 8 AM. Most farmers finished selling and packed up before 11 AM, catching the 11:30 AM return bus.
Driver Master Deng, with over a decade of experience, drove the farmer-friendly bus for the first time on August 1. His priority was safety and stability, avoiding damage to the goods on bumpy village roads. Each trip includes a support staff member who helps load and unload goods at every stop, carefully arranging items to prevent damage while ensuring passengers have seating. During the trial period, a support vehicle followed the bus, monitoring the route and addressing issues to ensure smooth operation. A heartwarming detail: the bus makes a stop inside Lian Tang Village instead of on the main road, a detour that significantly reduces travel time for farmers who previously had to cycle 30 minutes to reach the main road for a regular bus. This new service directly connects village gateways to the town center market, solving the "first mile" challenge for agricultural products. "We want to pick them up happily and send them back happily," said Master Deng. By noon, Aunt Luo, who had worried about sales due to rain, returned with a smiling face, having sold everything. Aunt Chen, who sold winter melons, also bought daily necessities and returned home by 12:20 PM, planning to sell more next Saturday. The return bus, now empty of goods, felt lighter, matching the passengers' cheerful mood.
The free farmer-friendly bus service is a joint initiative by four enterprises, ensuring long-term operation without charging farmers any fare. Mr. Ou Guoxing, General Manager of Guangzhou Yindou Fangxiang Technology Co., Ltd., explained that the idea originated from "Fangxiang" community visits. Staff found that remote villages like Xibian and Menkouxia lacked direct bus routes to the town center. Many farmers had excellent produce but struggled with transportation, often relying on bicycles or motorcycles, which became difficult in bad weather, causing goods to rot. Responding to this urgent need, the team established the lines in less than a month, from planning to launch. After field surveys and route tests, the two lines were finalized to cover the most needy villages. The departure and return times were carefully chosen: a 6 AM departure allows farmers to arrive before the morning market opens, and an 11:30 AM return gives them ample time to sell and shop. The service is still in a trial phase, with plans to collect feedback, optimize routes and schedules, and expand coverage. The goal is to not only help farmers sell goods locally but also use digital channels to bring Chini's high-quality products to wider markets, truly serving the people's needs. From a small detour on the Huadu No. 5 bus route for vegetable farmers to this free dedicated bus service, Huadu District demonstrates its commitment to people's wellbeing and practical action, bringing buses into villages and stopping at the edge of fields, steadily moving forward on a path of rural revitalization.
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