Harbin’s new metro extension line to start operations

The new metro line extension in Harbin, in Heilongjiang province, will be put into use after a three-month trial operation period starting on Jan 16, according to information from Harbin Harbin Metro Group.

Currently, the new metro line is being tested over 300 times a day, and the train punctuality rate exceeds 99.99 percent, higher than the national standard of 98 percent, according to the company.

Operational conditions of the metro line 1 extension will undergo assessment by National rail transit industry experts when the trial period concludes, which is estimated to take place late in March.

The extension to line 1 connects Pingfang district with the downtown area of the city.

Construction of the extension started on Sept 26, 2014 and was completed in September, 2018, one year earlier than the scheduled five-year construction period.

There is a total of five stations along the extension, which terminates at Xinjiang Street Station at one end, and Tongjiang Road Station at the other.

Each station is equipped with much more convenient and intelligent facilities, such as three-dimensional integrated information boards, air filters, baby care bathrooms, LCD color information boards and other facilities.

One key cutting-edge example is the intelligent ticketing system for example, which allows passengers to purchase tickets or top up transport cards using mobile payment apps such as Alipay and WeChat, or via a bank card.

"It takes only 50 minutes to travel between Harbin East Railway Station and Xinjiang Street Station, saving around one hour compared to using the bus," said a Harbin resident who used the metro on Jan 28.

According to Harbin Metro Group, the new line extension will bring greater convenience to passengers traveling around the city, cutting traffic congestion on Harbin's roads.