CHINA: A north-south suburban metro line connecting the east coast city of Taizhou in Zhejiang province with the town of Chengnan opened for revenue service on December 28.
Designed for 140 km/h operation, the 52·4 km Line S1 runs in tunnel for 17·5 km, while the remainder is elevated. Seven of the 15 stations are underground.
Starting from Taizhou Zhongxin, the line runs south to Luqiao and an interchange at with the Ningbo – Taizhou – Wenzhou high speed line at Wenling, before turning southeast to reach Chengnan on Aiwan Bay.
The line has been developed and is being operated by the Taizhou Rail Transit Construction & Development Co as the first suburban railway in China to be promoted using a PPP model. Approved by the National Development & Reform Commission in December 2014, the project was authorised by the Zhejiang Provincial Development & Reform Commission in September 2016, allowing construction to start in November that year.
The line is operated by a fleet of 31 four-car Type D trainsets manufactured by CRRC Tangshan, which can carry up to 1 045 passengers.
East-west Line S2 is under construction for opening in 2025. Running for 25·8 km from Beiyang in the west to Wurenji Xiaozhen in the east, this will serve 19 stations including Taizhou railway station and an interchange with Line S1 at Taizhou Zhongxin.
