What happened
The Ministry of Transport has outlined a plan for about 60,000 kilometers of high-quality self-driving tourist roads, built on the existing network rather than new pavement, with improvements to scenery, services, and route connections.
Customized passenger transport has made a comeback. The China Customized Passenger Transport Development Report (2025) shows that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the number of customized passenger transport routes grew by an average of 36.9% annually.
This June, the Chengdu-Chongqing bus service, once a cross-city staple, returned with electric vehicles and more flexible routes, achieving over 98% occupancy in its first week.
Why it matters
These developments mark a deeper change in China's transport strategy: after building a massive, balanced infrastructure network, the focus is now shifting from expanding reach to improving quality, from efficiency to experience.
The article frames this as a philosophical shift — investing in people rather than only in concrete, matching new supply with new demand, and turning transportation into a driver of consumption and livelihood improvement.
It shows how national infrastructure goals are increasingly aligned with individual everyday needs, making distant places feel closer and journeys more meaningful.
Key facts
China has built the world's largest and most balanced comprehensive transport infrastructure system.
The 60,000 km tourist road plan is an addition to existing roads, not a new network.
Traditional passenger transport is being redesigned by cutting inefficient routes and adding high-frequency stops.
The revival of customized passenger transport reflects a shift from 'what we provide' to 'what you need'.
The Chengdu-Chongqing bus's first-week occupancy exceeded 98% after its upgraded return.
What to watch next
Whether other traditional transport services will adopt similar custom, flexible models to better match evolving passenger preferences.
How the planned 'two heavy' projects and 'six networks' will translate into tangible benefits for people's daily lives and spending power.
Whether the focus on experience over pure connectivity helps sustain investment momentum and expands the 'second growth curve' for transport infrastructure.