2 Metro lines to be operational next week

Shenzhen Metro Group is now in its final push in preparing the two lines that are scheduled to be operational next week. Upon the lines’ use, the city’s operational Metro network will span 471 kilometers, according to Shenzhen Metro Group.

At a ceremony Tuesday, the project construction contractors handed Line 14 and the section of Line 11 between Futian and Gangxia North stations to the operator, marking a transition from construction to operation.

A view of the Metro platforms at the Gangxia North Comprehensive Transport Hub. Courtesy of Shenzhen Metro Group

Three transport hubs — Gangxia North Comprehensive Transport Hub, Huangmugang Comprehensive Transport Hub and Universiade Comprehensive Transport Hub — will also be put into operation the same time with the two Metro lines.

According to the operator, the two lines and three hubs have passed key tests including test runs driven by combustion engine, loaded with electricity, joint tests and trial operations.

Metro Line 14 is a fully automated line that runs through Pingshan, Longgang, Luohu and Futian districts. It will be the first Metro line connecting Pingshan District. The 50.3-kilometer line runs between Gangxia North Station in Futian and Shatian Station in Pingshan. It has 18 stations and is designed at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour. The extension of Line 11 runs 1.6 kilometers between Futian and Gangxia North stations.

The Gangxia North Comprehensive Transport Hub is a four-line interchange station, connecting lines 2, 10, 11 and 14. The Huangmugang Comprehensive Transport Hub will offer exchanges between lines 7, 14 and the future Line 24. The Universiade Transport Hub will integrate three Metro lines — lines 3, 14 and 16 — and intercity rail Line 33, an 86-kilometer rail running between Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and Daya Bay. The only transport hub in city’s east where four lines meet will enhance the connectivity of the city’s eastern area with Futian CBD and Shenzhen airport in the city’s west, as well as Daya Bay in the city of Huizhou, according to Shenzhen Metro Group.

Metro stations along Line 14, a line with automated driving technologies, will adopt integrated new rail structure, which can reduce noise and vibrations when a train arrives at the stations.

The Huangmuggang Comprehensive Transport Hub adopts photovoltaic power generation system that can generate 379,600 kWh a year, reduce 3.05 tons of carbon emission, or save 150 tons of standard coal.

The lighting and ventilation systems are optimized and operated under the intelligent programs, which can save nearly 17.5% of the systems’ operation costs.

In addition to Line 14 and the section of Line 11, lines 12 and 16, as well as the spur line of Line 6 will be put into operation before end of this year, bringing the total length of Metro network to over 500 kilometers.