Changchun Rail Transit

Changchun Rail Transit, is the rapid transit and light rail system in the city of Changchun, Jilin Province, China. Its first line, Line 3, is the first true light rail line in Mainland China. The system consists of three light rail lines and three rapid transit lines.

Construction of the first heavy-rail metro line, Line 1, started in 2011, and opened for service on 30 June 2017. Line 1 serves 15 stations and is 18.14 km long. Construction on the second heavy-rail metro line, Line 2, started in 2012, and opened for service on 30 August 2018. Line 2 serves 21 stations and is 24.9 km long. A new light rail line link the North Lake area, numbered Line 8, opened for service on June 30, 2018, 16 years after Line 3 opened. Line 8 is the first light rail line using the same fare with the metro system, and the first line to directly interchange with the metro system. On May 30, 2019, the fare systems of the original light rail system (Line 3 and Line 4) and the new metro system (Line 1, Line 2 and Line 8) were combined, and passengers can directly transfer between the original light rail system and the new metro system.

The current total length the network is 140.77 km with 123 stations. 3 sections of 3 lines are under construction.

Line 1


Line 1 is the first rapid transit metro line Changchun, running in the north-south central axis of Changchun.

Line 1's color is red.

Line 2


Line 2 is the second metro line in Changchun, running in the east-west central axis of Changchun.

Line 2's color is blue.

Line 3


Line 3 was the first rail line to open. It is a light rail line in a S shape around Changchun city center, making up the west half of the light rail loop, and a outer-loop branch to Jingyue area. The line using low-floor light rail vehicles instead of the typical rapid transit rolling stocks.

Unlike later lines, line 3 runs mostly on the ground in the west half, parallel with the Jingha railway, and mostly runs elevated at east half. It's also not fully grade separated, still having four level crossings after several renovation.

Line 3's color is green.

Line 4


Line 4 is another light rail line. Unlike line 3, it has complete grade separation, but still uses the same low-floor light rail vehicles as line 3, similar to the Seville Metro in Spain. It runs north-south close to the Yitong river, making up the east half of light rail loop. The line runs mostly on elevated viaducts with an underground section in the north.

Line 4's color is purple.

Line 6
Line 6 is a new metro line opened in 2024, running alone the South New Area of Changchun. It links Changchun West Railway station and Jingyue district, runs along the south of Line 3 to reduce the passenger flow of it.

Line 6's color is pink.

Line 8


Line 8 is another light rail line, running at north, link the North Lake area with the center of Changchun (via line 1). Like line 4, it is fully grade separated, and using the same low-floor light rail vehicles, but it's fully elevated instead of running partially underground.

Line 8's color is teal.

Opening timeline

 * 30 October 2002: Changchun Railway Station - Weiguang Street
 * 26 December 2006: Weixing Square - Changchun Movie Wonderland
 * 3 April 2007: Weiguang Street - Weixing Square
 * 30 June 2011: Dongdaqiao Bridge - Tiangong Road
 * 6 May 2012: Changchun Railway Station (North) - Dongdaqiao Bridge
 * 17 December 2012: Gongping Road Station
 * 30 June 2017: North Ring Road - Hongzuizi
 * 30 August 2018: Shuangfeng - Dongfang Square
 * 30 October 2018: North Ring Road - Guangtong Road
 * 8 October 2021: Auto Park - Shuangfeng
 * 31 December 2021: Changchun Railway Station - Puppet Regime Palace Museum
 * 6 June 2023: Tiangong Road - Tianxin Road
 * 31 December 2023: Dongxin Road Station
 * 28 March 2024: Shuangfeng - Changchun Movie Wonderland.

Future development
The Phase 3 (2019-2024) expansion of Changchun Rail Transit was approved by the NDRC on November 30, 2018. According to the plan, Changchun Rail Transit will be 235 km in length in 2024.

Under construction

 * 2025: (Eastern extension): 10.6 km with 6 stations.
 * April 2025: (Phase 1): 23.165 km with 19 stations. Changchun International Automobile Park – East Ring Road. Heavy rail.
 * June 2025: (Airport line): 28 km (16 km underground, 12 km elevated) with 8 stations. Zhaojiagang East – Jiutai South railway station. Heavy rail.
 * 2027: (Phase 1): 19.665 km with 18 stations. Southwestern Hub – Dongdaqiao Bridge. Heavy rail.

Planned

 * (Southern extension): 3 km with 2 stations. Changchun Movie Wonderland – Changchun No.59 Middle School. Light rail.