Transit giant CRRC sets down marker in Hong Kong as sales pitch to overseas cities

Nearly three decades after the closure of Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport, railway vehicle manufacturer China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) is eyeing the former site as a testbed for an autonomous bus system to improve transit connectivity. CRRC executives aim to use trackless, electric autonomous rapid transit (ART) buses to link the waterfront area to the wider city, a solution they believe to be cost-effective compared to metro or tram systems.

If successful, the project could open doors for CRRC to win similar projects in other large metropolises outside China. However, geopolitical concerns and data privacy issues may pose challenges. Yang Tao, general manager of CRRC subsidiary Zhixing, which operates ART lines in Yibin, a city in southwestern Sichuan province, expressed confidence in ART's potential to benefit Hong Kong, specifically by linking Kai Tak to the rest of the city.

If ART becomes a viable solution in Hong Kong, it could serve as a compelling case for CRRC to make a stronger sales pitch overseas, targeting other major cities. Analysts believe Hong Kong's mature, well-connected transport system could serve as a valuable reference for CRRC's overseas expansion. The ART system leverages autonomous technology, optical lidar, and cameras to travel predetermined routes, avoiding congestion and ensuring high speeds.

Despite challenges in the US and western Europe, CRRC's focus has shifted to Asia, Eastern Europe, and Belt and Road Initiative countries.