System length 63.8 km (39.6 mi) Locale Kunming Transit type Rapid transit | Founded 2012 Number of stations 33 Began operation June 28, 2012 | |
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Number of lines 2 open, 2 under construction Operator(s) Kunming Rail Transit Corporation | ||
Kunming Rail Transit, locally known as Kunming Metro, is a rapid transit system in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. With a population of just over 3 million, Kunming was one of the largest cities in China without a metro system. The system will initially consist of 2 lines, with 4 others proposed. The metro will consist of subway segments in the city centre and elevated grade-separated segments in the periphery. Line 6 opened on June 28, 2012, connecting the city with its new airport, Kunming Changshui International Airport.
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Background
The streets of Kunming have long been congested and there have been talks of a subway system since the late 1990s. A 2006 proposal would have seen construction start in 2008 with a north-south line and an east-west line. The current rapid transit system was first announced in 2009, with construction scheduled to start later that year. The proposed routes not only serve commuters in Kunming city centre, but will help encourage development to the city's southeast. The suburb of Chenggong has been the site of a recent construction boom, although most new developments are still unoccupied without adequate transit connections. Thus, the Kunming Metro will serve the dual purpose of alleviating traffic problems in the city's core, and encouraging growth in the southeast.
Construction
Construction on Lines 1 and 2 officially began in May 2010, after months of delays. An elevated test section had been under construction since 2009. Lines 1 (34 km) and 2 (22 km) were scheduled to open in 2012, but with delays, it was estimated that they wouldn't open until early 2013. Construction on Line 3 began in August 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2016. Construction of Line 6, which is an mainly elevated express line to the new Kunming Airport, was completed on 28 June 2012. The entire system consisting of 6 lines is estimated to be completed by 2018.
Construction of Line 1 is expected to cost as much as 32 billion yuan (US$4.5 billion), with each kilometer of elevated metro costing around 250 million yuan and each kilometer of underground subway expected to cost between 400 million and 800 million yuan. All rail lines within Erhuan Lu (Kunming's second ring road) will be underground.
The primary contractor is China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).
Rolling stock
Line 6: The trains were manufactured by China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation Ltd (CSR) Zhuzhou. 6 car sets will operate at 120 km/h. CSR met with journalists in October 2011 to address safety concerns of operating at such speeds.
Note: needs specifications added once operational.
Line 1 & 2: CSR Zhuji will supply Type B trains by November 2013.
Line 1/2
Line 1/2 is currently 40.4 km long with 31 stations, running from North Bus Station to University Town South. It will consist of underground segments in Central Kunming and Chenggong and an elevated segment connecting the two. Attractions served will include Kunming Railway Station, Century Town, Guandu Old Town, and Sports Centre. A 5.3 km long branch line to Kunming South Railway Station was opened on Dec 26, 2016. Line 1/2 will be split into two operational lines once Line 1 (phase III) and Line 2 (phase II) is completed.
Line 6
Line 6 (from west to east): 18.18 km, 4 stations (with 2 more planned in the west it would be 25.67 km), opened on June 28, 2012 as an express line connecting the main lines of the system with the new Kunming Changshui International Airport. But the two intermediate stations between East Bus Station and the Airport Center will not open at first. Tangzi Xiang (Alley, transfer with line 2) -- Juhua—East Bus Stn—Dabanqiao—Jichang Qian (Airport Front) -- Jichang Zhongxin (Airport Center)
(Chinese: 塘子巷 - 菊华 - 东部汽车站 - 大板桥 - 机场前 - 机场中心)
Under construction
The current phase will consist of lines 1, 2, 3, and 6. All station names that are included in phase 1 has been confirmed.
Line 1
Line 1 will be 41.4 km long with 25 stations, running from Kunming city centre to the University City. It will consist of underground segments in Kunming and Chenggong and an elevated segment connecting the two. Attractions served will include Kunming Railway Station, Century City, Guandu Old Town, and Sports City.
Phase 2 (planned): 2nd Ring North Rd, Hongshan East Rd, Kunming West Station Junction, Panjiawan (transfer with Line 3), Milesi, Jinbi Square, Deshengqiao (partially under construction with Phase 1 to avoid traffic chaos in the future) -- Huanchen South Rd
Line 2
Line 2 (from north to south): 22.8 km, 22 stations
Phase 2 (planned): Huanchen Nanlu—Kunming Railway Stn—Nanba—Rixin Lu (Rd) -- Yiyuan Xiaoqu—Guangfu Lu (Rd) -- Liujia—Gongjia Cun (Village) -- Suwang Cun (Village)
(Chinese: 环城南路 - 昆明火车站 - 南坝 - 日新路 - 怡园小区 - 广福路 - 六甲 - 龚家村 - 苏王村)
Line 3
Line 3 (from west to east): 17.99 km, 17 stations Shizui, Dayu Rd, West Bus Station, Mianshan, Changyuan Middle Rd, Xiyuan, Liangjia He, City Sports Centre, Panjiawan (transfer to Line 1 Phase 2), Wuyi Rd—Dongfeng Square (transfer with line 2), Tuodong Sports Centre, Dashuying, Jinmasi, Taipingcun, Hongqiao, East Bus Station
(Chinese: 石咀 - 大渔路 - 西部汽车站 - 眠山 - 昌源中路 - 西苑 - 梁家河 - 市体育馆 - 潘家湾 - 五一路 - 东风广场 - 拓东体育馆 - 大树营 - 金马寺 - 太平村 - 虹桥 - 东部汽车站)