Shenzhen’s Luohu district launched a cross-border bus route connecting retail hotspots with Hong Kong’s transport hubs, along with a much-anticipated free driverless minibus line on Tuesday, according to the district government's WeChat public account.

Operated by Eternal East Bus, the Luohu Cross-Border Cultural Tourism Consumption Line makes three stops at popular shopping destinations in the district: MixC mall (罗湖万象城) on Bao’an South Road, Dongmen pedestrian street (东门步行街), and Yitian Holiday Plaza (罗湖益田假日广场) on Aiguo Road. In Hong Kong, the bus stops in Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui, Sha Tin, Kwun Tong, Diamond Hill, and at Heung Yuen Wai Control Point.

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Promotional fares of HK$35 ($4.50) are currently on offer for single trips between Luohu and Hong Kong. Ten pairs of buses are dispatched daily, according to the bus company's WeChat account.

Also on Tuesday, which marked the 45th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone’s launch, Luohu’s new free driverless minibus route officially commenced operation.

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Hailed as a benchmark for self-driving technology, the fully autonomous minibus navigates densely trafficked areas, sharing roads with motorized vehicles, scooters, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Starting and ending at Luohu Port (罗湖口岸), its route passes through notable locations such as Guomao Building (国贸) — one of Shenzhen’s earliest skyscrapers — Di Wang Tower (地王), MixC mall (万象食家) in the Sungang area, the Grand Theater (大剧院), and MixC mall (万象城) on Bao’an South Road.

Passengers can book free rides through Shenba Chuxing (深巴出行), the WeChat mini-program of Shenzhen Bus Group.