Increases to Pearl Line
23/2/2004 15:18
By July this year, Shanghai will increase the capacity of the Pearl
Line, with the frequency between trains reduced from the current seven to six
minutes, in order to ease the pressure on the light rail, the Youth Post
reported today.
Passenger volumes on the local Pearl Line have already
reached 115 percent of the train capacity, and the light rail has become the
most crowded public transportation method in Shanghai, even more crowded than
the local Metro Line 1, according to statistics.
"There is huge passenger
flow on the Pearl Line, far exceeding its capacity, especially during the peak
periods when people go to and from work," said Shen Binglin, general manager
with the No. 3 passenger transport branch of the Shanghai Metro Operation Co
Ltd.
"Many of our leaders have to help push passengers into the crowded
train," Shen stressed.
"There are currently 21 trains for the Pearl Line,
enough for us to increase passenger capacity, but our signal testing is not yet
finished," Shen said, adding that the pressure on the line cannot be eased in
the first half of the year.
By April, four more trains will be added, and the
frequency between some trains will be reduced from seven to six minutes by July,
Shen added.
The Peal Line will improve its service to the Hongkou Football
Stadium to satisfy the demand during important events.
Wendy Zhang/ Shanghai Daily news
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