Shanghai Urban Rail Transit Expansion

Shanghai Urban Rail Transit Expansion

The world’s largest rapid transit system by route length is the Shanghai Urban Rail or the Shanghai Metro. And now, it is going to be even longer. It is already one of the fastest growing systems- with 120 km already under construction. But now, “nine rail projects including six subway lines and three intercity railways will be constructed from 2018 to 2023” (SCMP) have been approved to be part of the metro project.

“The projects are estimated to total 286km and will cost 298.35 billion yuan or $43.3 billion. The network is aimed at creating better connections between the financial hub’s two airports and two major railway stations” (SCMP). This is all more important as more than half of the trips made in Shanghai are on public transportation in Shanghai, where railways contribute to 60%. It would be interesting to see if New York follows suit and expands its subway network.

A picture of the Shanghai Metro (Image Credits: UrbanRail.Net)