The Haizhu Tram is on the brink of a major change, with its terminal shifting from Guangzhou Tower to the soon-to-be-renamed Guangzhou Tower Station. This change will effectively eliminate the segment between Guangzhou Tower East Station and the new Guangzhou Tower Station.

As part of this transformation, the southern platform at Guangzhou Tower East Station will be extended and converted into a dedicated drop-off and pick-up area for passengers. New safety features, including platform screen doors and entry/exit barriers, will be installed. Trains will drop off passengers on the western side of the platform and then move to the eastern side for boarding. An additional crossover track will also be constructed on the east side of the station.

According to a report by Guangzhou Daily, this adjustment to the tram line’s endpoint is designed to bolster the Guangzhou Tower’s goal of becoming a national 5A tourist attraction. The construction project is currently open for bidding.

Since its launch in late 2014, the Haizhu Tram has consistently served a 7.7-kilometer route stretching from Guangzhou Tower to Wanshengwei, with 11 stops. However, with the upcoming changes, the Guangzhou Tower Station will cease to operate entirely as the route contracts.

Future plans include officially renaming Guangzhou Tower East Station to Guangzhou Tower Station, thus establishing it as the tram’s new endpoint. The enhanced southern platform will become more user-friendly, and essential upgrades such as new screen doors and safety barriers will be implemented. The construction of an additional track on the east side will further facilitate the adjustment. During this renovation, tram service will temporarily move to the South Liangde Bridge Station, leading to the suspension of operations at both Guangzhou Tower and Guangzhou Tower East Stations.

When we inquired about the project’s rationale, the preliminary design report underscored the need to improve the scenic pathways along the new central axis and enhance the tourism and commercial appeal around Guangzhou Tower. The existing tram facilities are said to significantly obstruct pedestrian access to the riverside promenade, raising safety concerns due to steep inclines. This has created a disconnect between the observation platform and the riverside, making the realignment of tram tracks necessary.

The report also highlights that once the tram is relocated, the second-level platform at Guangzhou Tower will provide direct access to the riverside, transforming the area into a lively public square. This improvement is aimed at boosting tourism at Guangzhou Tower and aiding its bid for national 5A tourist site status.

The Haizhu Tram operates just a street away from the Guangzhou Tower Subway Station, offering convenient transfers for many workers in the nearby Pazhou artificial intelligence and digital economy zone. Data from 2023 reflects an average daily ridership of 6,638 passengers at this station, comprising 46.7% of all nearby stations. In contrast, Guangzhou Tower East Station sees only about 571 passengers daily, indicating that the proposed changes will significantly impact nearly half of the tram’s ridership.

Residents in the Pazhou area expressed surprise at the news of the route reduction. Mr. Luo, an office worker near the South Liangde Bridge Station, shared his concerns: “Right now, I can just walk across the road from the subway to catch the tram. After this change, I’ll have to walk over 500 meters, which really decreases convenience, especially in bad weather.” Many of his colleagues have become accustomed to the quick transfers between the subway and tram, estimating that their travel time will increase by two-thirds under the new plan.

As the digital economy zone continues to attract major companies like Tencent, Alibaba, and Vipshop, the demand for transportation in the area is anticipated to rise dramatically. The Haizhu Tram is likely to experience increased passenger loads as it supports the growth of Guangzhou’s headquarters economy. Some team members within the tram’s operating staff have expressed their regrets about the inconveniences this transition may pose for riders.