Shot by Chen Huizhi. Edited by Chen Huizhi. Subtitles by Chen Huizhi. 6 Photos|View Slide Show ›

A driver sits behind the control desk of a Metro Line 18 train in a test run. The line, after it takes passengers, will be driverless.

Chen Huizhi / SHINE

The control desks will be sealed up after the trains are ready to take passengers and be opened only when manual intervention is necessary.

Chen Huizhi / SHINE

Engineers work during the test run on Thursday.

Chen Huizhi / SHINE

Engineers work during the test run on Thursday.

Chen Huizhi / SHINE

The ticket floor of Zhoupu station on Line 18.

Chen Huizhi / SHINE

Workers work at Zhoupu station on Line 18.

Chen Huizhi / SHINE

Test runs of six trains, without passengers, has started at the eight southern stations on Metro Line 18.

The stations, fromYuqiaotoHangtou, are expected to be completed and open to passengers by the end of the year.

LiangGuanghui, manager of the Shanghai Metro Line 18 Development Co, said 85 to 90 percent of the work at the eight stations has been finished with decoration work still underway.

Metro Line 18 trains will bedriverless and the line will be the first in Shanghai to offer wireless charging in carriages.

The 36.8 kilometer, 26-stations line starts at SouthChangjiangRoad in the north and runs through Baoshan andYangpudistricts and the Pudong New Area, with interchange stations for Line 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16.

The rest of the line is expected to be completed by the end of next year.