Dalian Metro

History

After 1950, Dalian faced a high rate of population growth. Due to its location, cultural heritage and transportation it attracted native and foreign people, leading to an increasing number of automobiles and buses. The traffic created a problem for the trams, and the transport authority decided to greatly reduce the tram network. Eight tram routes were closed, one by one, before 1980. By then, over-dependence on automobiles and buses caused traffic and environmental problems. The tram network had been reduced to three routes; opening old routes was impossible, since almost all of those routes were already occupied by bus traffic. Mindful of the problems between trams and buses, the transport authority tried a solution merge both types of transport: the trolleybus. Trolleybuses run on electricity and do not cause air pollution; however, they use existing roads (already congested with motor-vehicle traffic). Therefore, expansion of the trolleybus network was impractical. At that time, a subway system was proposed. After overcoming financial and political obstacles, construction began on the first line in September 2000. October 2002 saw the trial opening of the first line, which was put into full operation in May 2003. Trial runs of the San Haoxian branch began in June 2008; December 28 marked the beginning of full passenger operation.

Line 1 (M1)

Line 1 (M1), opened in 2015 currently in operation, connects east southeast central Dalian with north Dalian. The total length is 28.34 kilometers, with 22 underground stations.

Line 2 (M2)

Line 2 (M2), opened in 2015 currently in operation, connects east central Dalian with west central Dalian. The total length is 42.56 kilometers, with 29 underground stations. The line is "C" shaped.

Route 202 Line (R2)

Line R2, officially known as Tram Route 202 Extension Line, was opened in 2013 and connects central Dalian with Lüshunkou. The total length is 40.38 km² with eight stations from west to east. This line begins at Lüshunxingang Station and stretches east ending at Hekou Station, which is the future interchange station with Line 2 (M2).

Line 3 (R3)

Line 3 (R3), also known as Jinzhou Eastern Line, connects the Dalian Development Zone and Jinshitan with Dalian city center. It is a serpentine line, mostly elevated or at grade, and runs from the Dalian Railway Station to Jinshitan Station. The northern area of the city, where the Economic and Technology Development Zone is located, is not well-served by buses. The metro line beginning at the downtown commercial center (near the Dalian railway station) runs through five administrative districts of the city and serves as an express transport between the northern (developing) region and the downtown area. The line extends northward to Golden Pebble Beach (Jinshitan Scenic Area), a national scenic park 50 km (31 mi) from the city center. A branch route was open on 2008 and this line connects central Dalian with Jinzhou with 14.3 km² with seven station from south to north. This line begins at Kaifuqu Station and stretches northwest ending at Jiuli Station.

All stations have side platforms. Tracks in the platform area have no ballast (gravel); however, tracks outside the station are on ballast. All stations are covered by a combination of transparent corrugated sheets and a concrete roof.

Alignment and interchanges

Both Line 3 (R3) are almost completely at grade or above ground; 13.89 kilometres (8.63 mi) is elevated, 1.123 kilometres (0.698 mi) is underground and 31.39 kilometres (19.50 mi) is at grade. Six stations are elevated, and the remainder are at grade. Transfers to trams and suburban trains are possible at the Railway Station stop.

Lines under construction

This line will run from Phoenix Peak to the Development Zone. Proposed stations are Phoenix Peak (interchange with the Line 3 branch), Sidalindajie, Wuyilu, Sujia, Maoyingzi, Houguan, Yaojia, Nanguanling Rail Station (interchange with Line 2), Zhonghuaguangzhang, Dongweilu (interchange with Line 4), Shahekou, Xianlu (interchange with Line 2), Convention and Exhibition Center, Heishijiao, Xueyuanguangchang, Xinghai Park, Maritime University, Gaoxinyuanqu, Hekou, Huangnichuan, Longwangtan, College Town, Shuishiying (interchange with Line 4), Shibanqiao, Tieshanzhen and the Development Zone. A branch will be constructed from Wuyilu to Jinbohaian. There will be one station in between (Jinzhou West). The line will be constructed in three phases. Phase one will run from Yaojia to the Convention and Exhibition Centre, phase two to Hekou and the remainder in phase three. After the completion of this line, there will be tram and metro service from Shahekou to Hekou.

This line will run from Houyan to Donghaigongyuan. Proposed stations are Houyan, Nanguanling Rail Station (interchange with Line 1), Sports Centre, Gezhenbu, Qiange, Airport, Zhangqianlu, Xinggongjie, Malanguangchang, Xianlu (interchange with Line 1), Dalian Railway Station (interchange with Line 3), Shengliguangchang, Gangwanguangchang and Donghaigongyuan. The line will be constructed in two phases: phase one from Airport to Gangwanguangchang, and the remainder in phase two.

Long-term plan

Pending

Tickets

The lowest fare between two stations is one yuan; the fare between more than two stations is two yuan. The full fare between Dalian Station and Golden Pebble Beach is eight yuan; between Dalian Station and Jiuli the fare is seven yuan. The Pearl Card is a discounted, monthly smart card.

Rolling stock

The trains were developed and manufactured by DLoco, Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Company. As of 2012, 10 trains are running on line 3 at an average speed of 60 km/h (37 miles/hr).

Dalian Metro ordered 38 type B trainsets in six-car formations. 18 and 20 sets will run on the future lines 1 and 2 respectively. They will have a similar lightweight, corrosion-resistant stainless-steel body. The design speed is set to 80 km per hour; each train will have a capacity of 1,440 passengers.

Future plans

In 2009 the Dalian government announced plans for nine metro lines spanning a total of 262.9 kilometres (163.4 mi), which would include the existing Line 3 and Line 7 (are the only lines to be completed, as of 2012). The completion date for the other two lines has been scheduled for 2012, but no date has been announced yet for the remainder. Four lines have been finalized, as of 2012. The expansion project (in accordance with Chinese standards for the design and construction of metros) will use around 70 percent local labor and materials. Trains will be equipped with ATO, and stations will use an automatic fare-collection system. When lines open, they will initially operate at 38,000 p/h/d; over time, with the addition of more trains and decreasing headway, a capacity of 43,200 p/h/d is planned. The expansion program will ease traffic in Dalian (improving travel around the city for the 12th National Games of China, which will be held in Liaoning in 2013).

According to a National Development and Reform Foundation (2009) document, the urban rail transit construction plan (2009–2016) in Dalian was approved. According to the plan, the Dalian transit project is expected to invest ¥22 billion from 2009 to 2016 to build lines one through five.

On July 25, 2009, the Dalian Metro groundbreaking ceremony was held at Harbor Square for metro lines one and two. The project's total investment is more than ¥220 billion; it includes the east port, the airport, South Guanling and the estuaries, and is planned to open by the end of 2012. As of November 2009 the Academy Square to the Maritime University, China Spring Station Square to test section two, and portions of lines one and two are in operation.