WeRide Debuts First Fare-charging Level-4 Robobus Service in the Heart of Guangzhou

Rhea-AI Summary

WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD) has launched its first fare-charging Level-4 autonomous robobus service in central Guangzhou, China. The service operates on a 13.6km loop route connecting major landmarks, with each journey taking approximately 55 minutes. The robobuses, carrying up to six passengers, operate daily from 7pm to 9pm and charge 10 RMB per ticket (50% discounted during trial). WeRide has been operating robobuses since 2022 and received China's first commercial robobus license in December 2023. The company has also expanded internationally, launching driverless commercial services in France in February 2025 and currently operates in multiple markets including Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan.

Positive

• First commercial Level-4 autonomous bus service in Guangzhou's downtown area, demonstrating technological leadership
• Successful expansion into international markets including France, Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan
• Obtained China's first commercial license for robobus operations in December 2023
• Three years of proven safe operational experience since 2022

Negative

• Limited operating hours (only 2 hours daily from 7pm to 9pm)
• Small passenger capacity (maximum 6 passengers per bus)
• Currently operating in trial phase with 50% discounted fares, indicating early-stage commercialization

Insights

Autonomous Technology Expert

WeRide's fare-charging L4 robobus service in Guangzhou marks a significant commercial breakthrough, proving its autonomous technology in complex urban conditions.

WeRide launching a fare-charging Level-4 autonomous bus service in central Guangzhou represents a watershed moment for autonomous vehicle commercialization. This isn't a controlled demonstration or free shuttle - it's a revenue-generating service operating in one of China's most challenging urban environments.

The technical achievement here shouldn't be understated. These vehicles navigate a 13.6km loop through congested downtown streets, handling complex traffic patterns without human intervention. The ability to operate during evening hours (7pm-9pm) demonstrates the robustness of their perception systems in varied lighting conditions.

What makes this particularly significant is the regulatory milestone it represents. WeRide secured China's first commercial license for robobus operations in December 2023, indicating government confidence in their safety protocols. This follows three years of open-road testing since 2022, providing substantial validation data.

The international expansion across five countries (China, France, Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan) demonstrates the adaptability of their autonomous driving stack. Different countries present unique challenges in traffic patterns, driving norms, and regulatory frameworks. The recent European deployment in France's Drôme region, complete with public road testing permits, shows WeRide can navigate these variations successfully.

While the current deployment is modest - limited hours and six-passenger capacity - it creates a crucial real-world laboratory for refining both technology and operations in genuine commercial conditions.

Transportation Industry Analyst

WeRide's paid robobus service signals genuine commercialization of autonomous transit, creating a scalable model for urban transportation networks.

WeRide's commercial launch in Guangzhou marks a critical transition from technology demonstration to functional business model. By charging 10 RMB per ride (currently at 50% discount during trial), they've begun the essential process of establishing consumer willingness-to-pay for autonomous transit services.

The route design shows strategic market positioning - connecting major landmarks like Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Dongjun Plaza creates high visibility and potential ridership. The full journey takes 55 minutes to complete, making it a practical transportation option rather than merely a novelty experience.

WeRide's choice of a six-passenger mini-bus format represents a calculated middle ground in the autonomous transit space. This format offers greater efficiency than single-passenger robotaxis while maintaining route flexibility that larger buses lack. The integration with existing payment infrastructure (Yang Cheng Tong transit cards and mobile payments) demonstrates attention to user experience and system integration.

From a market expansion perspective, WeRide has established an impressive international footprint across five countries. Their partnership approach in France (collaborating with beti, Renault Group, and Macif) suggests a pragmatic market entry strategy leveraging local expertise.

For the transportation industry, this deployment provides valuable data on several fronts: consumer adoption rates, operational economics, and integration with existing transit networks. While still at limited scale (two hours of daily operation), this represents genuine commercial service with paying customers - a crucial milestone that many autonomous vehicle companies have yet to achieve.

WeRide launches paid commercial Level-4 robobus service in central Guangzhou (Source: Guangzhou Daily)

GUANGZHOU, China, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WeRide (Nasdaq: WRD), a global leader in autonomous driving technology, has launched a paid commercial service with its Level-4 robobus in central Guangzhou. This marks the city's first fare-charging autonomous bus line in its downtown core — a significant step toward mass commercialization of WeRide's Level-4 autonomous vehicles.

As one of the world's largest cities, Guangzhou faces some of the most complex and congested urban traffic conditions. Its dense population and heavy vehicle volume pose challenges for traditional transportation systems. Despite this, WeRide's robobus navigates the city's busiest routes with ease, delivering a safe, comfortable, and efficient mini-bus service for passengers.

This driverless robobus route covers 13.6km in a loop, starting and ending at Meidong Road Terminal in Yuexiu District, with a full journey taking about 55 minutes. The route connects key landmarks of Guangzhou such as Dongjun Plaza, Yuexiu Bridge, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (Municipal Trade Union), and Guangdong Building. Each robobus carries up to six passengers and operates daily from 7pm to 9pm, smoothly handling the night environment. Tickets are priced at 10 RMB, with a 50% discount during the trial period. Passengers can board using the local Yang Cheng Tong transit card or mobile payment methods.

With this launch, WeRide successfully expands the commercialization of its Level-4 autonomous driving technology in one of China's most demanding urban environments — paving the way for broader deployment in other major cities.

Since 2022, WeRide has been operating robobuses in open-road scenarios, accumulating three years of safe operational experience and tech competence. In December 2023, WeRide obtained China's first commercial license for robobus operations in Huangpu District, Guangzhou.

Meanwhile, WeRide continues to expand its international presence. In February 2025, the company launched the first fully driverless commercial robobus deployment in Europe, partnering with beti, Renault Group, and Macif in France's Drôme region. A month later, WeRide and beti acquired France's Level-4 driverless public road testing and operating permit. Today, WeRide's robobuses are operating commercially across multiple 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.

Press Enquiries:
pr@weride.ai

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ca347237-cb18-41f3-b250-d3529748664e

FAQ

What is the fare for WeRide's autonomous robobus service in Guangzhou?

The regular fare is 10 RMB per ticket, with a 50% discount during the trial period. Passengers can pay using Yang Cheng Tong transit card or mobile payment methods.

What route does WeRide's autonomous robobus cover in Guangzhou?

The robobus covers a 13.6km loop route starting from Meidong Road Terminal in Yuexiu District, connecting landmarks like Dongjun Plaza, Yuexiu Bridge, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and Guangdong Building.

What are the operating hours of WeRide's robobus service?

The robobus service operates daily from 7pm to 9pm, handling night environment conditions.

In which countries does WeRide operate its autonomous robobus services?

WeRide operates its robobus services in multiple international markets including China, France, Switzerland, Singapore, and Japan.

When did WeRide receive its commercial license for robobus operations in China?

WeRide obtained China's first commercial license for robobus operations in Huangpu District, Guangzhou, in December 2023.