Buses for the new routes are ready to be launched in front of Chunsun – WEDZ's iconic landmark. [Photo provided to en.whkfq.gov.cn]
May 16 marked the 31st anniversary of the establishment of the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ, also known as Auto Valley). To celebrate the event, four express routes that travel directly from WEDZ to the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) began operating that day, allowing residents in WEDZ to travel not only in OVC, but also in Wuchang and Jiangxia districts.
The new routes strengthen the zone's connections with other Wuhan sub-centers, as well as with central urban areas and new urban areas of the city.
There are 50 buses currently operating on the four express routes that stop at four industrial parks – Optics Valley Financial Port, Jingang Automobile Industrial Park, Junshan New City, WEDZ Business Port, and many renowned Hubei universities, including Wuhan University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology, as well as five local business districts. The routes are a combined 36 kilometers long, and the buses used a self-service ticketing system.
The 103 Incubator, which was established in the South Taizi Lake Innovation Valley of WEDZ in 2019 as the zone's first private incubator, has been home to more than 130 enterprises, of which many are headquartered in OVC.
"The new routes will save us much time," said an employee at the incubator, who used to have a commute of at least two hours to OVC via buses and subways.
