"In Guangzhou, the metro is not only a means of transportation, it has also become a way of life and even a culture. I love the Guangzhou Metro!" raved Romeo, an Italian who has lived in Guangzhou for 16 years.
Romeo's story is featured in an entry of the event "My Guangdong Story" Global Solicitation for Short Videos, titled "意大利罗密欧探广州地铁‘数智’之路 (Italian Romeo explores the digitalization and intelligence of Guangzhou Metro)". He made three short videos of what he has seen and heard, which together shows the changes of Guangzhou Metro over the past decades.
"When I first arrived in Guangzhou on October 18, 2006, there were only two metro lines—Line 1 and Line 3—in the city. However, it currently has 15 metro lines in operation, while another 11 lines are under construction. So, I am super looking forward to what it will be in the next 16 years," Romeo said.
Viewers are shown around the Guangzhou Metro Line 18, which was opened on September 28, 2021, by Romeo in his video. He considered Guangzhou Metro has changed greatly since 2016, especially from the perspective of "information transfer".
"For example, you can obtain plenty of information through this screen in a metro station of Line 18, such as the instant weather conditions above the ground, including temperatures and humidity, or when the next train will arrive, it's always punctual," Romeo introduced. "The screen will also show where the nearest exit to the platform is, and whether there is an escalator or stairs at the exit. It's very convenient."
The change of "information transfer" is also embodied in the way of purchasing metro tickets.
"In the past, passengers had to queue up and use coins or banknotes to get a metro ticket, which was very troublesome. But now it's much more convenient. You can pay for a ticket or top the metro card up in WeChat accounts, WeChat mini programs, and Alipay."
"In addition, passengers who have mobile phones with NFC (Near Field Communication) function can swipe their phone through the entrance, then take the metro. Mobile phones will automatically complete the deduction after the trip," he added. "The APM line even launched the face recognition service to sell tickets. It's awesome!"
In 2016, Guangzhou Metro Museum was officially opened to the public. Romeo explained in the video that Guangzhou Metro has designed many interesting metro-themed souvenirs, which are rarely seen abroad.
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About "My Guangdong Story" event
"My Guangdong Story" event is still in full swing and the submission deadline is October 15. Winners and nominees of some outstanding videos will be awarded prizes of between 2,000 to 10,000 RMB each. You can record your most impressive experiences, memories, or stories with Guangdong, and log in to the official webpage (https://www.newsgd.com/mygdstory) to submit.
Author: Ariel
Editor: Wing, Steven, Monica, Jerry
