Recently, some bus routes in Panyu District, Guangzhou, have been suspended, and news of drivers striking for unpaid wages has spread on social media. Meanwhile, Chinese media reports indicate that passenger traffic on Guangzhou's regular buses has been declining in recent years, with the average daily passenger volume in 2025 expected to be nearly 60% lower than in 2019. Over the past three years, more than 100 bus routes have been reduced citywide.
The affected bus routes are mainly concentrated in Panyu District, Guangzhou. A screenshot from Weibo shows that some netizens posted that the buses involved belong to Guangzhou Chuangda Bus Co., Ltd. Public information shows that this company is a private bus operator in Panyu, operating routes including Fan 93, Fan 143, Fan 147, and Fan 131, mostly connecting within Panyu and serving parts of Nansha District. Rumors circulating online claim that the suspension of service is related to the company owing wages for about six months. The rumors also claim that on June 15th, drivers of Guangzhou Chuangda Bus Co., Ltd. collectively demanded unpaid wages, stating they would only return to work after receiving their pay.
According to a report by Guangzhou Leju on June 15, reprinted by Sina Finance, some bus routes in Panyu District were suspended that day, with passengers reporting significantly longer waiting times on social media. The report cited sources saying that the suspended routes involved Guangzhou Chuangda Bus Company, and the drivers' strike was related to the company's unpaid wages. This claim subsequently gained traction on overseas social media platforms.
Financial strain and declining passenger traffic coexist
Mr. Liu, a resident of Guangzhou, told reporters that Guangzhou's finances are tight, coupled with a decrease in the floating population and the fact that public transportation such as the subway is more convenient than buses, so many people are giving up buses. He said, "Unless you're going to a place where the subway doesn't go, you can take a bus. The subway is very convenient here in Guangzhou. I always take the subway when I go out. Some bus routes, even though no one rides them, still run because they are government-funded and the government subsidizes the bus drivers' salaries. Some routes have already been discontinued, and this time the government can't pay salaries because it doesn't have the money."
However, as of now, Guangzhou officials have not publicly confirmed the claims of a "drivers' strike" or a "citywide transportation shutdown." Public information shows that the impact mainly affects some bus routes in Panyu District, as well as routes operated by private bus companies serving parts of Panyu and Nansha Districts. The claim of a "citywide transportation shutdown" has not yet been confirmed by official sources or mainstream mainland media.
Images uploaded by netizens show rows of buses neatly parked in a parking lot. Mr. Liu, a resident of Guangzhou, told reporters, "The economic situation is not good now. Many people are out of work and go out less. Fewer people are taking the subway and going to restaurants. I used to go to restaurants several times a month, but now I only go once. Most of the time I buy food from street vendors. There's a 'For Rent' notice posted at the entrance of the small supermarket downstairs. Maybe the owner, Lao Li, can't keep it going."
The plight of Guangzhou's public transportation system is also related to the government's tight finances. Mr. Wang, a rights activist in Guangzhou, told reporters that since the government stopped making money from real estate development, it has begun to cut costs. He said, "Now some neighborhood offices no longer issue notices on paper; they send them directly via WeChat. Previously, they would put a note on your door asking you to go to the neighborhood committee; now they send text messages. They used to pay 2,000 yuan to hire a security guard, but now they don't. A neighborhood office is this poor; I wouldn't have dared to imagine it three years ago."
Passenger traffic has dropped by nearly 60% in six years.
Regarding the issues of unpaid wages and route suspensions by bus companies, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported on June 24 that news of the suspension of multiple bus routes in Guangzhou has recently gained traction on social media. The report cited data from the "2025 Guangzhou Transportation Development Annual Report," stating that the average daily passenger volume of Guangzhou's regular buses decreased from 6.11 million in 2019 to 2.49 million in 2025, a drop of nearly 60% over six years. In 2025, the city's bus routes will be reduced by 134 compared to 2022, representing approximately 10% of the total number of routes.
An official Chinese report also shows that in 2025, Guangzhou operated 1,217 regular bus routes with 13,188 buses, carrying an average of 2.49 million passengers per day, a further decline of 14% compared to the previous year. The report states that the increased density of the subway network in the city center has further diverted traffic from regular buses, while electric bicycles and ride-hailing services continue to squeeze the space for regular buses.
Bus route reductions impact people's travel.
In recent years, similar incidents have occurred in public transportation systems in Henan and other places, many of which are related to wage arrears by companies. Some urban public transportation companies have been exposed for wage arrears, reduced shifts, and service suspensions, with the problems being more prominent in county towns and small and medium-sized cities. In recent years, Guangzhou officials have promoted the transformation of its public transportation system, including the development of new route formats such as subway connections, community minibuses, and customized bus services. Mainland media reports that Guangzhou's public transportation is shifting from a "large and comprehensive" network to "short-distance connections" and "on-demand response." However, for the elderly, low-income groups, and residents in remote suburbs who rely on public transportation, route reductions may still increase travel costs.
As of press time, Guangzhou's transportation authorities have not issued a unified public statement regarding the online reports of Panyu drivers collectively demanding unpaid wages and wage arrears. On social media platforms, passengers are still reporting longer waiting times for buses in some areas, and some netizens are questioning whether public transportation, as a public service, can be calculated solely based on passenger flow and costs.
