CHINA: The first metro line in Shaoxing has opened, running 20·3 km from Guniangqiao and China Textile City.
The project was originally known as known as the Hangzhou – Shaoxing Inter-city railway, and is now branded as metro Line 1.
There are six stations on the 14·4 km underground section of the route, and four elevated stations. The western terminus at Guniangqiao provides an interchange with Hangzhou metro Line 5.
Construction began in July 2017 and trial running started on February 2 this year. Full revenue services began on July 5, following the June 28 launch of a limited service which saw 334 000 passengers travel on the line in the first week.
A fleet of 27 six-car Type B trainsets has been supplied by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen (18) and Beijing Subway Rolling Stock Equipment Co (nine). These operate at speeds up to 100 km/h, giving an end-to-end journey time of 26 min.
An extension from China Textile City to Fangquan and a branch from Huangjiu Town to Convention & Exhibition Centre are scheduled to open next year, taking the line to 54·3 km.
The first phase of the 10·8 km Line 2 with nine stations is under construction for opening in 2023, and a network of six lines totalling 208 km is envisaged by 2030.
