Wuhan Metro

History

Preliminary studies of urban rail transit system were prompted by the city shortly after a Belgian Railways delegation visit in 1984. Following the demolishment of old Beijing-Hankou Railway, the city of Wuhan planned to utilize the corridor to construct the city's first rapid transit rail line. In September 1992, the Wuhan Metro Construction Group was ordered and established by Wuhan Municipal Construction Commission, and a supervision group, led by the mayor Qian Yunlu, was subsequently formed in 1993 to facilitate the project's funding, designing, logistics, and organization. Yet, the prototype remained for seven years before the city was able to fund construction.

In October 1999, the National Planning Commission (Predecessor to National Development and Reform Commission) approved the Wuhan "Light Rail" project (Line 1, phase 1), signaling the substantive inception of the rail transit project. On October 2, 2000, the Wuhan Municipal Government ratified the establishment of Wuhan Rail Transit Co., Ltd., and leased construction, operation, administration and related real estate development to the corporation.

In December 2000, the National Planning Commission accepted feasibility report to the project and approved construction on phase 1 of Line 1. On December 23, 2000, the project broke ground and comprehensive construction began.

In 2002, with the anticipation of economic boom and increasing demand for urban rail transit, Wuhan Municipal Government approved the city's first long-term rail transit master plan. On July 28, 2004, the ten-station long "Light Rail" opened to public and entered revenue service in August. However, low ridership has discouraged the city from funding the extension project which broke ground on December 15, 2005, and a 4-year reprieve in construction ensued. In April, 2006, the NDRC ratified a six-year construction/operation plan, but it was not until a year later on April 9, 2007 that NDRC accepted the feasibility report to Line 1, phase 2 (the extension project) and approved construction on the project.

In the interim, construction began on the Fanhu Station of the fully underground Line 2 on November 16, 2006, as a response to the six-year plan adopted by NDRC earlier. Construction also began on the underground Line 4 stations of Wuchang Railway Station in June, and Wuhan Railway Station in September, as parts of the integral capital project to revamp and construct the Wuhan Railway Hub.

In May 2007, the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission (HDRC) approved preliminary designs on the Line 1, phase 2, and comprehensive construction subsequently commenced in June. On May 15, the city government approved the establishment of Wuhan Metro Co., Ltd., which would replace the Wuhan Rail Transit Co., Ltd and assume its responsibilities and benefits.

On September 12, 2007, the NDRC accepted the feasibility report to Line 2, phase 1, and preliminary designs were approved by the HDRC in December 2007. However, it was not until September 2008 that land purchases and funding were facilitated and comprehensive construction began to take place. In October 2009, the Yangtze River tunnel drilling incepted.

On March 13, 2009, the NDRC accepted feasibility report to Line 4, phase 1. On May 13, 2009, the HDRC ratified preliminary designs on Line 4, phase 1. Comprehensive construction ensued on the Wuchang segment of Line 4. A more ambitious urban rapid transit plan was submitted for NDRC review in October, 2009, and in late November, on-site panel investigations were conducted by China International Engineering Consulting Corporation.

In February 2010, Wuhan Metro's first commercial property topped out in No.1 Hanxi Road station. On July 29, Line 1 phase 2 entered revenue service from Dijiao to Dongwu Boulevard. Despite plans to extend the westernmost terminus to Jinshan Avenue in Dongxihu District, the station was never built. A short stub with crossover tracks was constructed behind Dongwu Boulevard. Zhuyehai, a station in Qiaokou District, remained non-operational in spite of the existence of complete platforms. Neither exits nor staircases were built yet. Its opening date is pending upon IKEA Wuhan's completion in late 2014.

A revised and more detailed construction plan was accepted by the NDRC on January 31, 2011. The plan specified the city's plan to complete construction on Line 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 before 2017. Beginning on March 1, Line 1 subdivided its fare zones from 3 to 5 and lowered maximum fare from 5 CNY / ride to 4 CNY / ride. Wuhan Tong cardholders will receive a 20 percent discount on single ride fares. On April 9, Line 1 welcomed its 100,000,000th customer, who was awarded a one-year pass to the Metro. On September 9, preliminary designs on Line 4, phase 2 (Hanyang segment) was approved by HDRC.

On February 17, 2012 the NDRC accepted feasibility report to Line 3, phase 1, making it the fourth line in Wuhan Metro's grid, and first to cross Han River, connecting the boroughs of Hankou and Hanyang. Feasibility report to Line 6--the second Hankou-Hanyang connection—was also approved by the NDRC on December 21, 2012. Seven days later, Line 2 entered revenue service, connecting some of the most populated areas of Hankou, Wuchang, and Optics Valley.

On April 12, 2013, the NDRC granted acceptance to feasibility report of Line 8, phase 1, which connects Hankou and Wuchang via Second Yangtze River Bridge corridor. Construction began in June 2013 and is expected to complete in 2017.

On December 28, 2013, Phase 1 of Line 4 went into operation, making it the third line in the Wuhan Metro system.

On September 17, 2014, Zhuyehai Station on Line 1 has opened.

On December 28, 2015, Line 3 went into operation, making it the fourth line in the Wuhan Metro system.

On December 28, 2016, Line 6 opened and Line 2 extended north to the airport.

Line 1

Line 1 is a 28.87 km elevated urban rail line entirely located in the borough of Hankou. It runs a northwest-southeast route that approximately parallels with Jiefang Avenue for its entire length. There are 27 planned stations, among which 25 are operational. Line 1 operates 33 four-car train sets, 12 of which are manufactured by Changchun Railway Vehicles, and 21 by Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd.

On July 28, 2004, the first phase of Line 1 began service from Huangpu Road to Zongguan. On July 28, 2010, Line 1 extended from both ends after the completion of phase 2. The phase 3 expansion, which extends the northeast terminus to Hankou North Station, entered revenue service on May 28, 2014.

Line 2

Line 2 is a 27.895 km underground subway connecting the boroughs of Hankou and Wuchang. Upon completion, Line 2 was the first subway in China to cross the mighty Yangtze River. It runs in a northwest-southeast route and crosses the Yangtze River near Jianghan Road, and Jiyuqiao in Wuchang. Tunnel drilling concluded on February 26, 2012. Revenue service of Line 2 began on December 28, 2012. Line 2 operates 41 six-car train sets, all of which were manufactured by Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd.

Line 2 is set to be extended towards both directions. The southern extension will bring the southeast terminus from Optics Valley Square to 6th Gaoxin Road, and the northwest extension plan will bring the northwest terminus from Jinyintan to Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, providing convenient access for airport and residential areas en route. Early on, construction work on both extensions was expected to commence in 2013, and the tentative completion dates was set at 2015. In May 2014, it was reported that the construction work on the southern extension would start within 2014, with the completion expected by 2019.

Line 3

Overall construction of Line 3 was approved by National Development and Reform Commission on Feb 23, 2012, and officially started on Mar 31, 2012. Line 3 went into operation on December 28, 2015.

Line 4

Line 4 is mostly underground. It will run in an east-west route serving the Hanyang and Wuchang distincts. The first phase linking Wuchang and Wuhan railway stations opened on December 28, 2013; since that day, all three main railway stations of Wuhan are connected by the Metro. The second phase of Line 4 will crossing the Yangtze River to Hanyang opened in 2014.

Line 6

Line 6 opened in 2016.

Network expansions

The following lines are under construction

Line 7

Full-scale construction was approved by National Development and Reform Commission on September 2, 2013. It is currently under construction, and is expected to open on 2017.

Line 8

Full-scale construction was approved by National Development and Reform Commission on April 24, 2013. It is currently under construction, and is expected to open in 2017.

Future Expansions

Line 5, 9, 10, and 12, as well as 13 suburban metro lines, are being planned by the municipal authority.

Services

Wuhan has legislated to ban food consumption on board, the first of such kind in China.

China's first Starbucks metro store will open in Hongshan Square Station.

Paired Cross-Platform Transfer

Hongshan Square Station and Zhongnan Road Station offer paired cross-platform interchange for passengers riding between 4 directions of the two lines. The configuration for the two stations is similar to that of Mong Kok and Prince Edward stations in Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway.

Passengers riding on Line 2 from Jinyintan wishing to reach Huangjinkou, can transfer at Zhongnan Road Station by crossing the platform. Those going to Wuhan Railway Station, can transfer at Hongshan Square Station by crossing the platform, and vice versa.

According to the national media, Wuhan Metro is the first rapid transit system in Mainland China to offer such an arrangement.