Chongqing Metro

Infobox Public transit
name=Chongqing Metro


imagesize=250px
locale=Chongqing, China
transit_type=straddle-beam monorail
system_length=19.15 kilometres
began_operation=2005
lines=1
stations=18
ridership=
operator=The Chongqing Metro (zh-sp|s=重庆轨道交通|p=Chóngqìng Guǐdào Jiāotōng) is a monorail system in Chongqing, the first of its kind in China and the only metro transit system in western China. It currently only has one operating line, line 2, and it runs through three administrative districts (Yuzhong, Jiulongpo, and Dadukou). The metro serves transportation in the city's main business and public districts. The track length is 19.15 km.

It is a unique metro system in China. Due to Chongqing's surrounding geography as a hilly city, this metro system is for the most part elevated above streets, although a 2.2 km section is underground, including 3 of its 18 stations. The system also employs vehicles with strong climbing capabilities. It can transport 30,000 passengers per hour per direction.

History

The Chongqing Metro is part of the central government's project to develop the Western regions in China and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation has also provided part of the funding of the project. [http://www.jbic.go.jp/japanese/base/release/oec/2000/nr64d.php (in Japanese)] Construction of the Chongqing Metro has been carried out in cooperation between Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. Ltd. and Hitachi Monorail, making use of advanced Japanese monorail technology. [ [http://www.hitachi.com/rev/archive/2005/2041017_12602.html HITACHI : China's First Urban Monorail System in Chongqing ] ] Construction began in 1999, and it was officially opened to service in June 2005 between Jiaochangkou and Dongwuyuan (Chongqing Zoo). The portion between Dongwuyuan and Xinshancun opened in July 2006.

Current Line

At the moment, the only line of the Chongqing Metro is Line 2. This line, which currently runs 19.15 km and services 18 stations, begins as a subway under downtown Chongqing, runs west along the southern bank of the Jialing River on an elevated line, and then turns south into the city's southwestern suburbs, terminating in Dadukou district. A 6.2-kilometer extension into Ba'nan is currently under construction.

Current stations, from northeast to southwest, include Jiaochangkou, Linjiangmen, Huanghuayuan, Daxigou, Zengjiayan, Niujiaotuo, Liziba, Fortuguan, Daping, Yuanjiagang, Xiejiawan, Yangjiaping, Dongwuyuan, Dayancun, Mawangchang, Pingan, Dadukuo, and Xinshancun.

Lines Under Construction

The Chongqing metro is currently expected to have 6 lines criscrossing the urban districts of the city, in addition to one loop line connecting them [zh icon [http://www.cqmetro.cn/webpic/webpic1.htm 轻轨线路图 ] ] . However, in addition to the extension to Line 2, only two lines are currently under construction.

Line 1

Line 1 will run 16.4 km from Chaotianmen west to Shapingba, and eventually all the way to Shuangbei for a total length of 22.41 km. It will be the city's first subway line. Initial passenger capacity will be 19,000 passengers/hour, while long-term plans call for a capacity of 36,000 passengers/hour. In 1992, the Chongqing government signed a Build-Operate-Transfer in 1992 with a Hong Kong company, and provided the land for the project, but work ceased in 1997 due to legal issues.Fact|date=July 2007 Work resumed on the first stretch of the line (from Chaotianmen to Shapingba) on 9 June 2007, and is expected to be completed in 2011. An extension from Shapingba to University Town will begin in 2009 to be opened in 2013. [http://www.cq.chinanews.com.cn/news/tpxw/2007/0609/183832.shtml (in Chinese)]

Current stations planned for Line 1 include, from east to west, Chaotianmen, Xiaoshenzi, Jiaochangkou, Qixinggang, Lianglukou, Eling, Daping, Shiyoulu, Xietaizi, Shiqiaopu, Gaomiaocun, Majiayan, Xiaolongkan, and Shapingba stations, to open in 2011, and Lieshimu, Ciqikou, Shuangpingnan, Shuangpingbei, Laijiaqiao, Tuzhu, Huxi, Daxuecheng, and Jiandingpo stations, to open in 2013. Line 1 will have interchange stations with Line 2 at Jiaochangkou and at Daping, and with Line 3 at Lianglukou.

Line 3

Line 3 will run from north to south, linking the districts separated by Chongqing's two main rivers, the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. The first phase of the line began construction on 5 April 2007, and is expected to be completed in 2010. This phase will be over 21 km long, and have 18 stations, five of which will be underground. Line 3 will eventually be extended north toward Chongqing's airport and south to Yudong in Ba'nan District. [http://cqwb.cqnews.net/webnews/htm/2007/4/6/238840.shtml (in Chinese)]

Current stations planned for the first phase of Line 3 include, from south to north, Ertang, Liugongli, Wugongli, Sigongli, Nanping, Gongmao, Tongyuanju, Lianglukou, Niujiaotuo, Huaxinjie, Guanyinqiao, Hongqihegou, Xinpaifang, Zhengjiayuanzi, Tangjiayuanzi, Shiziping, Huocheke, and Longtousi. There will be an interchange with Line 1 at Lianglukou, and with Line 2 at Niujiaotuo.

References

See also

* List of rapid transit systems

External links

* [http://www.urbanrail.net/as/chon/chongqing.htm UrbanRail.net's page on the Chongqing Metro]
* [http://www.cqmetro.cn/ Chongqing Metro's Official Web Page (Chinese)] , [http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=zh-CN&u=http://www.cqmetro.cn&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result Google translation]
* [http://www.johomaps.com/as/china/chongqing/chongqing.html Map]