CRRC Targets Hong Kong's Kai Tak as Launchpad for Overseas Autonomous Bus Sales
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago1 MIN
Summary
China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation is positioning Hong Kong's former Kai Tak Airport site as a proving ground for its autonomous rapid transit technology, with an eye toward expanding into overseas markets. The state-owned rail giant plans to deploy trackless, electric ART buses to connect the former airport area to the rest of the city, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional metro or tram systems. A successful Hong Kong deployment could serve as a reference project for other major cities worldwide.
Key Points
- CRRC, the world's leading railway vehicle manufacturer, seeks to use the former Kai Tak Airport site as a test bed for autonomous transit
- The company plans to deploy trackless, electric autonomous rapid transit buses to link Kai Tak to the wider city
- Executives claim the ART system would cost significantly less than building a metro or tram line
- CRRC subsidiary Zhixing has operated ART lines in Yibin, Sichuan since 2018, with vehicles also heading to Kuching, Malaysia and Daejeon, South Korea
- Yang Tao, general manager of CRRC Zhixing, stated that a Hong Kong project would strengthen overseas sales pitches to other metropolises
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's adoption of CRRC's technology could help the company overcome geopolitical concerns and win contracts in other large cities, though data and privacy issues remain potential obstacles to expansion.
Hong Kong's adoption of CRRC's technology could help the company overcome geopolitical concerns and win contracts in other large cities, though data and privacy issues remain potential obstacles to expansion.