Chengdu Metro

With the opening of Line 1 on 27 September 2010, the system consists of 13 subway lines and 1 light rail line. It has subsequently undergone rapid expansion. Since the opening of Lines 6, 8, 9, and 17 on 18 December 2020, the Chengdu Metro is the 4th longest metro system in the world.

Chengdu Metro
Overview
Owner	City of Chengdu
Locale	Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	13
Number of stations	373
Daily ridership	6 million (2023 Avg.) 7.8392 million (2023 Peak)
Annual ridership	1800 million (2021)
Website	www.chengdurail.com
Operation
Began operation	27 September 2010; 13 years ago (2010-09-27) (10 September 2010; 13 years ago (2010-09-10) Public Trial)
Operator(s)	Chengdu Rail Transit Group
Technical
System length	558.1 km (346.8 mi) (excluding Chengdu Tram) 597.4 km (371.2 mi) (including Chengdu Tram)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	Overhead line, 1,500 V DC and 25 kV 50 Hz AC
System map

There are currently 13 operating subway lines totaling 558.1 km (346.8 mi) of track, and 1 tram line (Line T2). The Chengdu Metro serves over 8 million trips per day. As of 2021, about 2.2 million and 4.6 million people live within 500 and 800 metres (1,640 and 2,625 ft) of a subway station in Chengdu, respectively.

There are 13 subway lines operating currently, covering 558.1 km (346.8 mi) with 337 stations and a light rail line with 36 stop (Line T2) operating, covering 39.3 km (24.4 mi).

 

Line 1

 

The first phase of Line 1 cost 7 billion yuan to construct. A natural ventilation system has been used in the underground section of Line 1 on the subway system from Southern Third Ring Road to Jincheng Plaza Station. Square ventilation units are built every 30 m (98 ft 5 in) along the subway top to allow fresh air from the ground enter the construction site underground. The method is used in subway construction in other countries as it cuts the construction cost and it saves energy. The subway system is the first in China to adopt such a ventilation system during construction. Chengdu Metro is planning to set up a section for subway fire control and introduce the latest fire fighting technologies and vehicles. Line 1's color is dark blue.

Line 2

 

Line 2 is a crosstown northwest–southeast trunk route. This line serves the Chengdu East railway station. Line 2 began operation on 16 September 2012. An 11 km (6.8 mi) long mostly elevated extension to Longquanyi began testing in April 2014 opened in October 2014. It total it is currently 42.32 km (26.30 mi) long. Line 2's color is orange.

Line 3

 

Line 3 runs in a northeast–southwest direction from Chengdu Medical College to Shuangliu West Station. The total length is 49.85 km (30.98 mi). Phase 1 of this line began construction on 28 April 2012, and opened on 31 July 2016. It was Chengdu's final line to use the lower capacity type B trains, subsequent lines favoring the longer and wider Type A cars. Line 3's color is magenta.

Line 4

 

Line 4 is the third line to enter revenue service on the metro network in Chengdu, Sichuan. Line 4 runs in an east–west direction, stretching from Wansheng in Wenjiang to Xihe in the Longquanyi. The first phase started construction on 22 July 2011, and began operation on 26 December 2015. Testing began on the east of west extensions of Line 4 as part of Phase II expansion on 10 December 2016. Line 4's color is green.

Line 5

 

Line 5 is a crosstown north–south trunk line. Despite being numbered such, it was the seventh line to open, having started operation on 27 December 2019. Line 5's color is purple.

Line 6

 

Line 6 is a crosstown northwest–south-west pivotal line. It is the second longest metro line in Chengdu and the longest non-branching line in China at 68.88 km (42.80 mi) (with Chengdu Line 18 being in first place for both). It has more stations than any other metro line in China, with 54 currently plus two more infill stations coming later. It is one of the four lines to have started operation on 18 Dec 2020. Line 6's color is brown.

Line 7

 

Line 7 is a 38.61 km (23.99 mi) loop line which runs around downtown Chengdu. Despite the number, it was actually the sixth line to open, having started operation on 6 December 2017. Line 7's color is sky blue.

Line 8

 

Line 8 is a 29.1 km (18.1 mi) crosstown northeast–southwest filling line. Phase 1 started operation on 18 Dec 2020, the same day as lines 6, 9, and 18. Line 8's color is chartreuse.

Line 9

 

Line 9 will be the system's second circle line when it is completed. It is the first driverless metro line in Mid/West China. Phase 1 started operation on 18 Dec 2020. Line 9's color is bright orange.

Line 10

 

Line 10 is a 39.972 km (24.837 mi) line serving Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. It started operation on 6 September 2017. It was also the first line to use the higher-capacity type A trains. Line 10's color is blue.

Line 17

 

Line 17 is a 26.15 km (16.25 mi) metro line at west side of Chengdu. Phase 1, including phase 1 of line 19, started operation on 18 Dec 2020. Like line 18 is uses a special variant of Type A trains with one less door per side and using 25 kV AC overhead power, as opposed to the "standard" 1500 V DC most newer metros in China use. Line 17's color is pale green.

Line 18

 

Line 18 is the first express subway line in the city. It parallels the southern section of Line 1 serving Tianfu New Area. It started operation on 27 September 2020. Phase 2 started operation on 18 Dec 2020. At 69.39 km (43.12 mi), it is the third longest metro line in China after Chongqing Line 6 being the longest and Shanghai Line 11 in second place. It is still however the longest line that does not have any branches. Like line 17, it uses a special variant of Type A trains with one less door per side and using 25 kV AC overhead power. Line 18's color is teal.

Tram Line 2

 

Chengdu Tram Line 2 has 39.3 km (24.4 mi) of operating tracks and 35 stations (47 when fully completed). The line uses low-floor trams derived from the Alstom Citadis. Tram Line 2's color is light green.

 

Inception

In 1985, the Chengdu Planning Bureau set up an integrated transportation planning office which began the process of the planning for a rapid transit network for Chengdu. By 1992, a proposal for the subway was sent to the National Planning Commission and was subsequently rejected. In 2004 before the approval of the National Development and Reform Commission Chengdu started reconstructing Tianfu Square with provisions for Tianfu Square station. The first phase of Chengdu Metro, consisting of Lines 1 and 2, were approved by the NDRC on 11 September 2005.

First phase projects

2005

• Line 1 construction commenced on December 28, 2005.

2007

• Construction of Line 2 began on December 29, 2007.

2009

• In May 2009, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) approved western and eastern extensions of Line 2, along with the first phase of Lines 3 and 4.

2010

• Line 1 opened on September 27, 2010.

2011

• Construction of the first phase of Line 4 started on July 22, 2011.

2012

• On April 25, 2012, Line 3 received approval from the NDRC.
• On January 16, 2012, the NDRC officially approved the southern extension of Line 1.
• Line 3 construction began on April 28, 2012.

2013

• On June 8, 2013, Line 2 West Extension to Xipu and Ocean Park Station on Line 1 opened; Ocean Park was later renamed Jincheng Plaza.

2014

• On October 26, 2014, Line 2 East Extension to Longquanyi opened.

2015

• On July 25, 2015, Line 1 South Extension opened.
• On December 10, 2015, Line 4 Phase 1 opened.

2016

• On July 31, 2016, Line 3 Phase 1 was opened, marking the completion of the first phase.

Second phase projects

2009

• In May 2009, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) approved the second phase of expansion for the Chengdu Metro, encompassing Line 1 Phase 3, Line 3 Phase 2 and 3, Line 4 Phase 2, Line 5 Phase 1 and 2, Line 6 Phase 1, Line 7, Line 10 Phase 1, and Line 18. The total length of Phase 2 amounted to 183.3 km (113.9 mi) of new subway infrastructure.

2014

• On June 4, 2014, construction commenced for Line 10 Phase 1.

2015

• In August 2015, construction began for Line 5 Phase 1.

2017

• On February 28, 2017, the first tunnel boring machine for Line 18 was launched.
• On June 2, 2017, Line 4 Phase 2 was opened.
• On September 6, 2017, Line 10 Phase 1 was opened.
• On December 6, 2017, Line 7 was opened.

2018

• On March 18, 2018, Line 1 Phase 3 was opened.
• On December 26, 2018, Line 3 Phase 2 and 3 were opened.

2019

• In November 2019, Chengdu Metro introduced new signage branding coinciding with the opening of Line 5.
• On December 27, 2019, Line 5 and Line 10 Phase 2 were opened.

2020

• On May 27, 2020, Line 6 began testing.
• On June 2, 2020, Line 18, the largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project in China, commenced its 3-month trial operation.
• On August 6, 2020, Line 18 completed its fire-prevention assessment.
• On September 27, 2020, Line 18 Phase 1 was opened.
• On December 18, 2020, Line 6 Phases 1 to 3, Line 8 Phase 1, Line 9 Phase 1, Line 17 Phase 1, and Line 18 Phase 2 were opened, marking the completion of Phase 2 and 3 projects. With these openings, Chengdu Metro updated the wayfinding in all stations, introducing alpha-numeric station identifiers, and installed new LCD passenger information systems.
• In 2020, with the opening of Line 6, Line 18 and other lines, Chengdu Metro refreshed the wayfinding in all stations with alpha-numeric station identifiers. In addition, new LCD passenger information systems, such as "comprehensive information screen" LCD, in station concourses and on screen doors at some stations.

2022

• On February 16, 2022, in response to noise issues on Line 5, operational speed limits were imposed on the Xingfuqiao to Beibu Shopping Mall to Liaojiawan sections, with an average speed of 60 km/h, to minimize noise impact on the environment and neighboring areas.

Third phase projects

2016

• On July 11, 2016, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) approved the third phase of Chengdu Metro's expansion plan. This phase included Line 6 Phase 2 and 3, Line 8, Line 9, Line 10 Phase 2, Line 17 Phase 1, and Line 18. Simultaneously with the second phase, the construction of the third phase commenced.
• On August 16, 2016, Line 18's construction officially started.
• On December 31, 2016, construction began for Lines 8, Line 9, and Line 10 Phase 2.

2017

• On February 27, 2017, Line 17 Phase 1 construction was initiated.

2019

• On February 19, 2019, Chengdu received its first-ever subway train capable of GoA4 ATO for Line 9.
• On July 30, 2019, the tunnel boring machine completed tunneling for Line 9 between Chengdu West Railway and Huangtianba Stations.
• On August 5, 2019, all stations on Line 17 Phase 1 completed the construction of main structures and roofing.

2020

• On January 14, 2020, the last section of track was laid for all of Line 9 Phase 1, between Sanyuan Station to Jincheng Avenue Station.
• On April 11, 2020, Chengdu Metro reported the completion of track-laying for Line 8.
• On June 19, 2020, both Line 9 and Line 17 started their 3-month trial operations.
• On June 24, 2020, the construction of Wutongmiao Temple Depot for Line 17 was completed.
• On July 8, 2020, Line 6 Phase 1 and 2 were officially powered on.
• On July 17, 2020, the construction officially started for the 4 stations on Line 30 in Longquanyi District.
• On August 8, 2020, Line 8's whole line power network passed quality assessment.
• On December 18, 2020, Line 6 Phase 1/2/3, Line 8 Phase 1, Line 9 Phase 1, Line 17 Phase 1, and Line 18 Phase 2 were opened, marking the completion of Phase 2 and 3 projects. This milestone also positioned the Chengdu Metro as the fourth largest subway system globally with over 500 km of operating subway routes after 15 years of rapid growth.

Fourth phase projects

2019

• On June 17, 2019, the NDRC approved the fourth phase expansion for the Chengdu Metro. It includes Line 8 Phase 2, Line 10 Phase 3, Line 13 Phase 1, Line 17 Phase 2, Line 18 Phase 3, Line 19 Phase 2, Line 27 Phase 1, and Line 30 Phase 1. The Fourth Phase encompasses 176.65 km of new lines.

2020

• On March 18, 2020, construction commenced on Line 8 Phase 2, Line 19 Phase 2, Line 27 Phase 1, and Line 30 Phase 1.
• On April 11, 2020, construction began on Line 10 Phase 3, Line 13 Phase 1, Line 17 Phase 2, Line 18 Phase 3, and Line 19 Phase 2.
• On May 18, 2020, Line 8 Phase 2, Line 27 Phase 1, and Line 30 Phase 1 started construction, marking the commencement of all Fourth Phase projects.
• On July 17, 2020, construction officially began for the last 4 stations on Line 30 in Longquanyi District.
• On November 27, 2020, construction officially started for Line S3, a connection line between Chengdu and Ziyang.

2021

• On April 2, 2021, Chengdu Metro reached a ridership of 7 million per day for the first time.

2022

• On December 16, 2022, Line 13 Phase 1 completed the tunnel construction from Sanguantang to Jiuyanqiao Section, marking the success of the longest underwater/river tunnel work in Chengdu Metro history.
• On December 22, 2022, Line 30 Phase 1 completed the structure construction of Jiaozi Flyover.
• In December 2022, Line 30 Phase 1 completed the water/cable/pipe reroute for Financial City North station, marking the station's main structure construction entering the next stage.
• In December 2022, Chengdu Metro's deepest and first 4-line transfer station, Luomashi, finished digging. Line 18 Phase 1's platform is 45.5 meters deep, with Chengdu North to Luomashi's deepest tunnel at 48.8 meters, equivalent to 16 floors underground. Luomashi serves Line 1, Line 4, Line 10, and Line 18.

2023

• On January 13, 2023, all 15 stations of Line 13 Phase 1 finished structural construction. The line's tunnel is 62% complete, and the railroad is 10% complete.
• On February 12, 2023, Line 19 Phase 2 was officially powered on.
• On February 17, 2023, Line 30 Phase 1 from Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport East to Sisheng section's left tunnel was finished, marking the completion of the 18th tunnel.
• On February 21, 2023, Line 19 Phase 2's signal and communication system started operational testing in Xinmiao Control Centre (新苗控制中心), and Phase 2 signal now synchronizes with Phase 1.
• On February 22, 2023, Line 17 Phase 2 finished Jinxing station's main power centre's land clearance.
• On March 20, 2023, Line 19's Changshun Villige Depot (长顺村停车场) was handed over to the operation.
• On March 21, 2023, Line 27 finished all station construction.
• On March 26, 2023, Line 18 increased express service from 6 to 16 trains to meet the increasing needs for Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and daily commuters. Line 18 also increased 58 trains daily, with 36 trains for Airport Express Service.
• On March 27, 2023, Line 8 Phase 2 finished tunnel work for the Longgang to Lianhua section. Line 8 Phase 2 entered the railroad construction, electrics, and refurbishment stage.
• On March 28, 2023, Line 19 Phase 2 finished the 160 km/h high-speed train testing, entering 1–2 months of systematic testing.
• On March 28, 2023, the Chengdu Rail Transit 2023 Annual Media Gala was held in Wenjiashan Station on Line 19.
• On March 29, 2023, construction for the left tunnel between Baotai Avenue and Changhong Square on Line S3 finished.
• On March 30, 2023, the tunnel boring machine used for the Jiuyanqiao-Xinnanmen section of Line 13 makes a breakthrough.
• On March 30, 2023, Line 19 Phase 2 finished construction and is handed over to the operation team for operational testing.
• On March 30, 2023, Chengdu Metro and Shanghai Metro's QR Code ticketing systems were officially unified and connected.
• On March 31, 2023, Line 30 Phase 1's Gaobeiba Depot (高碑坝车辆段) was powered on.
• From January to March 2023, Chengdu Metro TOD initiated four new land projects covering 200,000 square meters, along with 23 TOD projects and 38 new construction project sections.
• On May 26, 2023, all 45 trains of Line 19 Phase 2 were delivered.
• On May 31, 2023, Line S3 (Ziyang Line) began mechanical and electrical work after completing line construction.
• On September 11, 2023, Line 30 Phase 1's longest station - Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport East - finished structure construction, marking the 23rd station to complete structure contraction.
• On September 17, 2023, the original Line 17 Phase 1 (Jinxing - Jitouqiao) split into Line 19 Phase 1 (Jinxing - Jiujiang North) and new Line 17 (Jiujiang North - Jitouqiao). A 4-Car A-Train started operating on Line 17, and all passengers were required to transfer at the same platform at Jiujiang North between lines 17 and 19.
• On September 20, 2023, Line 13's first train was finished. This marked Chengdu's second metro line to use driverless automatic trains.
• On September 22, 2023, Line 30 Phase 1 finished tunnel construction.
• On September 26, 2023, Line 18 and Line 19 began co-operational testing.
• On September 30, 2023, Line 17 Phase 2's People's Park Station finished structure construction.
• On October 3, 2023, Line 17 Phase 2's Qingshuihedaqiao-Huanhuali stations completed both tunnel construction.
• On November 28, 2023, Line 19 Phase 2 opens, extending the line from Jiujiang North to Tianfu Station.

Fifth phase projects

2023

• On January 13, 2023, the Chengdu Government published the fifth phase expansion and the environmental assessment for Chengdu Metro. The Fifth Phase plan consists of 199.8 km (124.1 mi) of 10 new lines, including Line 5 Phase 3, Line 9 Phase 2, Line 10 Phase 4, Line 12 Phase 1, Line 16 Phase 1, Line 18 Phase 4, Line 20 Phase 1, Line 22 Phase 1, Line 23 Phase 1, and Line 27 Phase 2.
• On February 15, 2023, Line S11 was approved by the Sichuan Development and Reform Commission.
• On March 30, 2023, Line S11 (Chengdu - Deyang Line) started construction. This line is planned to open in 2026, consisting of a 70.84 km route with a 45.30 km elevated section, a 23.91 km underground section, and a 1.63 km transit section.
• On March 31, 2023, Chengdu Metro reached 1 billion ridership, as a rider entered the gate at 15:29:16.
• On September 6, 2023, Line S11 started construction at Banzhuyuan Station in Xindu.
• On September 6, 2023, Chengdu Metro debuted Train Maintenance Bots (车辆巡检机器人), AI-Railway Maintenance Bots (轨道智能巡检机器人), and Power-line Surveillance AI (弓网在线监测装置) on Line 19. This marks the world's first AI-Maintenance Robot & System. Chengdu Metro aims to implement full AI-Operation by 2025.

Lines under construction

 

Chengdu had built about 291 km (181 mi) of subway lines in 2020. In 2017, the construction of the first phases of Lines 8, 9, 11, 17 and Line 10 (Phase 2) started, the length of subway under construction in Chengdu totaling 400 km (249 mi). It is expected by the end of 2020, Lines 6, 8, 9, 17 and 18 will open. Extending the Chengdu Metro network to 518.5 km (322.2 mi) of route (excluding Chengdu Tram).

Phase 5

The Chengdu Metro Phase 5 construction plan (2024-2029) was announced in 2023.

Long-term planning

In December 2020, Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources announced the long-term planning including Lines 1-33, D1-D6 and S1-S19.

Single ride card

Single Ride Card is an IC card for one trip. Riders can purchase it through attendants in station's Service Centers or use ticket-vending machines. One ticket allows only one rider in with validity of the same day. If riders have not used the Single Ride Card, they may refund it at the same day at the same station.

From its opening until 1 June 2017, Chengdu Metro used a fare system based on station counts. With a 2-hour grace period in the subway system. In October 2016, Chengdu Metro held public meeting for price changing issues and set new pricing plans.

From 2 June 2017, Chengdu Metro starts new fare system based on distance.

Reloadable IC cards

The Tianfutong Pass is a reloadable IC Card accepted by the Chengdu Metro. Normal Tianfutong Passes provide 10% discounts. Student Tianfutong Passes provide 50% discounts. Senior Tianfutong Passes have special discounts depending on time of use. Additionally, passengers can pay for single rides directly using Debit IC cards offered by participating banks.

 

All "standard" Chengdu Metro lines in operation run on 1,500 V DC supplied by overhead lines. Express lines meanwhile run on 25 kV AC to get to top speed quicker. Trains on Lines 3, 4, 7, 10 and some of the newer Line 2 trains have a Golden Sun Bird insignia. New trains are equipped with LCD passenger information systems.

 

 

 

 

Line 6 Train LCD Passenger Information System

Signaling system

All Chengdu Metro lines are equipped with CBTC. Chengdu Metro Line 1, which opened to traffic in 2010, used a CBTC signaling system provided by Zhejiang Zhonghe Technology, a subsidiary of Zhejiang University, in collaboration with Ansaldo STS. This system is also used on Chengdu Metro Line 6 and 10. Chengdu Metro Line 3, which opened in 2016, was one of the first adoptions of a domestic CBTC signal system implementation by Beijing Traffic Control Technology. Beijing Traffic Control Technology's CBTC system is also used in Line 5. Alstom's Urbalis 888 CBTC signal system in collaboration with CASCO is used on Line 18, 19, Chengdu Light Rail Line 2 and the fully automated GoA4 Line 9.

Type A trains

In response to congestion and high ridership, Lines 7, 8 and 10 are equipped with higher capacity 6-car aluminum alloy Type A trains. The total length of 140 metres (459 ft 4 in) and width is 3 metres (9 ft 10 in). All trains have a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). The capacity of a 6-car train is 1,828 passengers with a crush load capacity of 2,488 passengers. Line 7 trains are designed and managed by CRRC Qingdao Sifang with CRRC Chengdu performing manufacturing and assembly. Lines 5, 6 and 9 are equipped with even higher capacity eight car aluminum alloy Type A trains. The capacity of an eight car trainset is 2,480 passengers with a crush load capacity of 3,456 passengers.

Type B trains

Lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 use six car stainless steel Type B trains with a total length of 120 metres (393 ft 8 in) and width 2.8 metres (9 ft 2 in). The capacity of each train set is 1,460 people with a crush load capacity of 1,880 passengers. All trains have a maximum operating speed of 80 km/h (50 mph). Lines 1 and 2 use CRRC Qingdao Sifang and CRRC Chengdu trains. Trains on Line 3 and 4 are manufactured by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Chengdu. In 2008, Chengdu Metro in anticipation of the opening of Line 1, purchased and initial order of 17 six car trains sets from CRRC Qingdao Sifang. In April 2011, a further order was announced for trains from CRRC for Line 2, taking the total to 59 six car sets.

Light Rail trains

Currently, only Chengdu Light Rail Line 2 is in operation. Light Rail Line 2 uses low floor light rail trains provided by domestic manufacturer CRRC. The tram system uses light rail trains, of each having 5 cars and 8 doors. Chengdu Light Rail Line R2 opened to public on 26 December 2018 and extended on 27 December 2019. It is 39.3 km (24.4 mi) long, with 35 stations (47 station when completed). In early 2020, this line is included in the latest Chengdu Metro's official system map.

High-speed intercity rail

There are also two high-speed intercity railways in Chengdu, not part of Chengdu Metro system: the Chengdu–Dujiangyan intercity railway and Chengdu–Pujiang intercity railway. They are operated by Chengdu Metropolitan Railway Company Limited, which is China's first joint venture between a local government and China's national rail operator. The city and the Ministry of Railways worked together in building high-speed intercity rail lines.

• List of metro systems