Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
StreetFilms

Guangzhou, China: Winning the Future With Bus Rapid Transit

Guangzhou is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. The economic hub of China's southern coast, it has undergone three decades of rapid modernization, and until recently the city’s streets were on a trajectory to get completely overrun by traffic congestion and pollution. But Guangzhou has started to change course. Last year the city made major strides to cut carbon emissions and reclaim space for people, launching new bus rapid transit and public bike sharing systems.

The Guangzhou BRT system opened in February 2010. It now carries 800,000 passengers a day, seamlessly connecting riders to both the metro system and the city's new bike-share network. For these innovations, Guangzhou won the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy's 2011 Sustainable Transport Award. Watch this Streetfilm and see how one of the world's most dynamic cities is, to borrow a phrase from President Obama, "winning the future" on its streets.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

“Disrespectful” and “infuriating”: L.A.’s progress on making streets safe and accessible for disabled people stalled for decades

Curb ramps have been required when repaving a street since 1992. Why is L.A. only now saying it must follow the law?

February 27, 2026

Friday’s Headlines

Metro D Line, Wilmington ped/bike bridge, parking, Carson, Pasadena, oil, WeHo, Downey, car-nage and more

February 27, 2026

SGV Bus Rapid Transit Gets Another $3.9M for Study and Design

Early improvements combine for about 14 miles of continuous bus lanes, expected to be installed in advance of the 2028 Olympic games

February 26, 2026

Metro D Line Subway Extension Will Open Friday May 8

Subway riders will be able to travel from Beverly Hills to Downtown L.A. in just 20 minutes

February 26, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines

ICE, LAPD, speed cameras, SB79, Santa Monica, charter reform, E Line, Beverly Hills, WeHo, car-nage, and more

February 26, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines

Westwood, SB79, shade competition, Bundy TOD, Pasadena parking, car-nage, and more

February 25, 2026
See all posts