Driverless Metro line starts operation in Shanghai

SHANGHAI Metro’s Pujiang Line, the city’s first APM line, or Automated People Mover system, started operation recently in Minhang District.

Automated people movers are driverless trains generally used for short-distance conveyance. According to the Shanghai Shentong Metro Group, the new 6.7kilometer line has six elevated stations and all motions of the train, including starting, braking, opening and closing of the carriage doors, are automatically controlled.

Lin Xin and her 9-year-old son Ziyi boarded a train at Huizhen Road. Her family and friends were going to Pujiang Country Park near Shendu Highway Station.

“It saves us a lot of trouble,” said Lin, who used to drive her family to the park for weekend outings but find it hard to find a parking space. “The kids love the view and high-tech feeling on the train as it goes without a driver.”

Yu Miao, operation director of Pujiang Line, said the APM train allows a smaller radius of turning circle, making it easier to go through residential neighborhoods. But in the meantime, it would make the train a little bit shakier.

A staff member at the platform of Huizhen Road told Shanghai Daily that ideally only one or two officers are needed in an APM train station. “But since we have just started up, each station has six staff members to help out,” said the officer.

With Pujiang Line putting into service, the total length of Shanghai Metro network reaches 673 kilometres, covering 395 stations.

An automated train operates on trial runs ahead of the start of the new Pujiang Line service for commuters.

— All photos by Jiang Xiaowei The new line is the first automated people mover in Shanghai. Passengers in the front carriage can watch the kilometers go by from large windows.