On March 19, 2012, a shield tunneling machine broke through the soil in section 9 of Changsha Metro Line 2, marking the smooth completion of the whole section. (Photo/Tian Chao)

On October 8, 2022, Changsha citizens prepared to ride a train on Changsha Metro Line 2. (Photo/Tian Chao)

Changsha's first metro line -- Changsha Metro Line 2 broke ground in September 2009. After 4 years and 7 months of construction, the line began passenger test runs at the end of April 2014. Since then, Changsha Maglev Express Line, and Changsha Metro Line 1, Line 4, Line 3, Line 5, and Line 6 have been operated successively.

To date, Changsha's rail transit operation mileage has reached 209 kilometers, with 148 operating stations. Daily ridership has also increased from 180,000 in 2014 when Line 2 was opened to traffic to more than 2.1 million at present.

Over the past ten years, Changsha has started from scratch to accelerate the construction of urban rail transit and actively create a "half-an-hour economic circle" of Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan City Cluster. Consequently, a Union-Jack-shaped urban rail transit network has taken shape.

The urban rail transit lines help Changsha enter the ranking of national comprehensive transportation hubs that integrate high-speed rail, aviation, intercity railway, subway, maglev and expressway. They also improve people's travel experience and expand the space for the city's future development.

Source: en.changsha.gov.cn