WeRide launches paid commercial Level-4 robobus service in central Guangzhou (Source: Guangzhou Daily)
GUANGZHOU, China, May 02, 2025 — WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has initiated a revenue-generating commercial operation using its Level 4 robobus in downtown Guangzhou. This marks the first instance of a paid autonomous bus service in the city’s core, signifying a major advancement in the large-scale commercial deployment of WeRide’s Level 4 autonomous vehicles.
Guangzhou, being one of the world’s largest metropolises, grapples with exceptionally complex and congested urban traffic. Its high population density and substantial vehicle volume present considerable hurdles for conventional transportation networks. Nevertheless, WeRide’s robobus effortlessly navigates the city’s most frequented routes, offering a secure, comfortable, and efficient minibus service to passengers.
The driverless robobus route spans 13.6 km in a circular path, commencing and concluding at the Meidong Road Terminal in Yuexiu District, with a complete circuit taking approximately 55 minutes. The route encompasses significant Guangzhou landmarks such as Dongjun Plaza, Yuexiu Bridge, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Municipal Trade Union), and Guangdong Building. Each robobus accommodates up to six passengers and operates daily from 7 pm to 9 pm, adeptly managing the nighttime conditions. Tickets are priced at 10 RMB, with a 50% discount offered during the trial phase. Passengers can board using the local Yang Cheng Tong transit card or through mobile payment options.
With this launch, WeRide has successfully broadened the commercial application of its Level 4 autonomous driving technology in one of China’s most challenging urban environments, paving the way for wider implementation in other major cities.
WeRide has been running robobuses in real-world road conditions since 2022, gaining three years of experience and technological expertise. In December 2023, WeRide secured China’s first commercial license for robobus operations in Guangzhou’s Huangpu District.
Simultaneously, WeRide is extending its international footprint. In February 2025, the company initiated the first fully driverless commercial robobus service in Europe, in collaboration with beti, Renault Group, and Macif in the Drôme region of France. The following month, WeRide and beti obtained France’s permit for Level 4 driverless public road testing and operation. Currently, WeRide’s robobuses are commercially active in several international markets, including China, France, Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan.
About WeRide
WeRide is a global leader and a first mover in the autonomous driving industry, as well as the first publicly traded Robotaxi company. The company operates in over 30 cities across 10 countries, holding driverless permits in China, the UAE, Singapore, France and the US. Empowered by the smart, versatile, cost-effective, and highly adaptable WeRide One platform, WeRide provides autonomous driving products and services that address a vast array of transportation needs across a diverse range of urban use cases across mobility, logistics, and sanitation. WeRide was named in Fortune Magazine’s 2024 “The Future 50” list.
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