Chongqing Rail Transit

Chongqing Rail Transit

Company type	Public transit
Industry	Rapid transit
Founded	2005
Headquarters	Chongqing , China
Area served	Chongqing, China
Products	Urban rail transit services

The Chongqing Rail Transit (CRT), also referred to as the Chongqing Metro, is the urban rapid transit network serving Chongqing, China. Since its inauguration in 2005, it has linked key commercial hubs with the city’s central suburbs. By December 2023, CRT consists of twelve lines spanning a total track length of , incorporating both heavy-rail metro lines (Lines 1, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 18, Loop line, Jiangtiao line, Bitong Line) and high-capacity monorail systems (Lines 2 and 3). Ongoing expansions aim to accommodate the city’s continuous development.

Distinctive for operating within Chongqing’s mountainous landscape and river valleys, CRT’s monorail routes manage steep inclines and sharp curves while delivering a rapid transit capacity reaching up to 32,000 passengers per hour per direction. In 2019, Line 3 achieved a peak ridership of 37,700 pphpd. With a total length of , this combined monorail network holds the title as the world’s longest and busiest monorail system; notably, Line 3 is the longest standalone monorail line worldwide.

The complex terrain of Chongqing requires advanced engineering solutions: Line 6 features the Caijia Rail Transit Bridge, recognized as the highest metro-exclusive bridge globally at roughly above the Jialing River. Hongyancun station ranks as the deepest metro station internationally at , with Hongtudi and Liyuchi stations on Line 10 following closely at depths of and , respectively. On Line 9, Hualongqiao station’s six-level design includes platforms situated approximately above ground level—making it the tallest metro station in the world.

Several record-breaking metro-only bridges are part of the system: The Egongyan Rail Transit Bridge carries the Loop line over the Yangtze River with a suspension span measuring , which is the longest suspension bridge dedicated solely to metro traffic worldwide. The Nanjimen Bridge on Line 10 stretches across with a cable-stayed main span of , setting a global record for metro-only cable-stayed bridges. The Gaojia Huayuan Jialing River Rail Transit Bridge supports the Loop line over the Jialing River with a main span of . Additionally, CRT incorporates multiple double-deck bridges that combine road and metro traffic flows, including the Chaotianmen Bridge—the world’s longest arch bridge.

Network

rowspan="2" style="width:16px" | Template:Rint rowspan="2" | Template:Lnl(Nan'an)(Beibei) rowspan="2" | 2012 rowspan="2" | 2020 rowspan="2" | 6B2 59.8 rowspan="2" | 40 (Yubei)(Yubei) 25.8 style="width:16px" | Template:RintTemplate:LnlTemplate:Stl CRT Gaotanyan Template:Small (Shapingba)Template:Stl CRT Huashigou Template:Small (Yubei) 2022 2023 6ATemplate:Small S 40.1 29 style="width:16px"  | Template:Rint cn metroTemplate:Lnl Chongqing Rail Transit 10Template:Stl CRT Wangjiazhuang Template:Small (Yubei)Template:Stl CRT Lanhualu Template:Small (Nan'an) 2017 2023 6ATemplate:Small S 43.3 26 style="width:16px"| Template:Rint cn metroTemplate:Lnl Chongqing Rail Transit 18Template:Stl CRT FuhualuTemplate:Small (Yuzhong)Template:Stl CRT TiaodengnanTemplate:Small (Dadukou) 2023 n/a 6ATemplate:Small S 28.96 19 style="width:16px"| Template:Rint cn metroTemplate:Lnl Chongqing Rail Transit jtTemplate:Stl CRT TiaodengTemplate:Small (Dadukou)Template:Stl CRT ShengquansiTemplate:Small (Jiangjin) 2022 n/a 6ATemplate:Small S 28.2 7 style="width:16px"| Template:Rint cn metroBitong lineTemplate:Stl CRT BishanTemplate:Small (Bishan)Template:Stl CRT TongliangxiTemplate:Small (Tongliang) Planned for completion in 2025 n/a 4D 37.5 8 colspan=7 style=font-weight:bold; text-align:right; | Total || || || || || ||561.18||312|

Line		Terminus (District)		Opening Year	Latest Extension	Rolling Stock	Length (km)	Stations
Template:Rint	Template:Lnl	Loop line		2018	2021	6AS	51	33
Template:Rint	Template:Lnl	(Yuzhong)	(Bishan)	2011	2020	6B2	43.7	25
Template:Rint	Template:Lnl	(Yuzhong)	(Ba'nan)	2005	2014	4/6/8HL	31.4	25
Template:Rint	Template:Lnl	(Ba'nan)	(Yubei)	2011	2016	6/8HL	56.1	45
		(Yubei)	(Yubei)			6HL	11.0
Template:Rint	Template:Lnl	(Yubei)	(Yubei)	2018	2022	6AS	50.7	24
Template:Rint	Template:Lnl	(Yubei)	(Dadukou)	2017	2023	6AS	48.66	31

Loop line

Designated as "Line 0," the Loop line is a rapid transit circular route. The northeastern segment commenced operations on 28 December 2018, with the southern portion, including the Egongyan Rail Transit Bridge, launching on 30 December 2019. This line links three principal railway hubs in Chongqing: Chongqing North railway station, Shapingba railway station, and Chongqing West railway station. The Loop line is represented by the color yellow.

Line 1

Stretching from Chaotianmen through Shapingba to Bishan, Line 1 is Chongqing’s inaugural heavy-rail subway and ranks as the second of its kind in Western China, capable of transporting up to 36,000 passengers per hour per direction. It serves vital Central Business Districts such as Jiefangbei, Lianglukou, Daping, and Shapingba, operating within deep-bored tunnels beneath Yuzhong and Shapingba Districts.

Transfer points include Xiaoshizi Station (Line 6), Jiaochangkou Station (Line 2), Daping Station (Line 2), and Lianglukou Station (Line 3) near Chongqing railway station. Although it connects to the Loop Line at Shapingba, out-of-station transfers are still necessary due to construction delays.

Initially launched under a Build-Operate-Transfer agreement with a Hong Kong-based firm in 1992, construction was paused in 1997 due to legal complications. Work recommenced in June 2009 on the section from Chaotianmen to Shapingba, with a partial opening on 28 July 2011. The operations control centre was provided by Thales Group. Line 1 is identified by the color red.

Line 2

Line 2 is a monorail system featuring 25 stations along its route. It begins underground beneath the Jiefangbei area of downtown, then transitions to an elevated track running westward along the southern bank of the Jialing River, before heading south into southwestern suburbs and terminating at Yudong in Ba'nan District. Predominantly elevated, it includes an underground stretch with three stations located in the densely populated Central Business District of Yuzhong. The line serves four central districts: Yuzhong, Jiulongpo, Dadukou, and Ba'nan. In 2010, Line 2 accommodated 45 million passengers. It also connects important commercial hubs such as Daping and Yangjiaping CBDs as well as Chongqing Zoo. Initially operating four-car trains, six-car sets were introduced in September 2012 to address growing ridership and reduce congestion. Opened in 2005, Line 2 was the first rapid transit line established in China’s Interior West region. Its designated color is green.

Line 3

Recognized as the longest and busiest monorail worldwide, Line 3 runs along a north-south axis linking districts separated by the Yangtze and Jialing River. The initial segment between Lianglukou and Yuanyang (18 stations over ) began service on 29 September 2011. This was followed by a northern extension reaching Jiangbei Airport in December 2011 and a southern extension from Ertang to Yudong completed in December 2012.

Standard trains typically comprise six cars; however, eight-car trains were introduced in 2014 to boost capacity. Prominent interchange stations include Lianglukou (which connects with Line 1 and Caiyuanba Intercity Railway/Coach Station) and Niujiaotuo (linking with Line 2) located within Yuzhong district. The color representing Line 3 is indigo.

Line 4

Line 4 operates as a rapid transit route. Phase I underwent testing starting in June 2018, with full service commencing on 28 December of the same year. The designated color for Line 4 is orange.

Line 5

Serving as a heavy-rail corridor running northeast to southwest, Line 5 traverses the city center. Phase 1 includes northern and southern segments plus a northern extension that are currently operational. This line links the districts of Yubei, Jiangbei, Yuzhong, Jiulongpo, Shapingba, and Dadukou. It debuted new six-car train sets. The official color representing Line 5 is light blue.

Line 6

As the second heavy-rail subway route introduced, Line 6 began operations on 28 September 2012. It connects Nan'an, Yuzhong, Jiangbei, and Yubei districts and features the Caijia Rail Transit Bridge—the tallest metro-exclusive bridge worldwide—spanning the Jialing River.

A northern branch stretching 26.2 kilometers from Lijia to Beibei opened on 31 December 2013. The line was extended to Chayuan in 2014 and later incorporated a 13.9-kilometer International Expo branch reaching Shaheba in 2020. Thales supplied the operations control center for this line. Its identifying color is pink.

Line 9

The initial phase of Line 9 launched on 25 January 2022, connecting Huashigou in Yubei District to Gaotanyan in Shapingba District while also serving Yuzhong and Jiangbei districts. The route crosses the Jialing River on a bridge parallel to Jiahua Bridge and includes Hongyancun station, which holds the distinction of being the deepest metro station globally at a depth of 116 meters. The color assigned to Line 9 is crimson.

Line 10

Line 10 provides service to the North Railway station and airport terminals. Its first phase, running from Liyuchi to Wangjiazhuang, opened on 28 December 2017. The upcoming second phase will connect Yuzhong and Nan'an districts by crossing both the Jialing and Yangtze rivers via two new bridges currently under construction: the Zengjiayan Jialing River Bridge and Nanjimen Rail Transit Bridge. The line’s color is purple.

Line 18

Inaugurated in 2023, Line 18 links Tiaodeng in Dadukou District with Fuhualu in Yuzhong District, featuring a 660-meter cable-stayed bridge over the Yangtze River. Its second phase is underway and will extend service through Yuzhong District to Xiaoshizi station. The designated color for Line 18 is turquoise.

Jiangtiao line

Connecting Jiangjin District with the urban area at Tiaodeng station, the Jiangtiao line has operated through service with Line 5 since 2023, enhancing regional transit integration. Its representative color is blue.

Bitong line

The Bitong line links Tongliang District to the metropolitan network at Bishan station. Plans are in place to implement through service between Line 27 and the Bitong line to further improve network cohesion.

Transport cards

The CRT system accepts the Life & Transport Card (also known as Chongqing Universal Card), issued by Chongqing City Card Payment Co., Ltd., along with compatible cards from partner municipalities. Holders of Regular Cards benefit from a 10% discount on public transit fares. Transfers involving bus-to-metro within one hour incur higher charges; however, metro-to-metro transfers are billed separately based on elapsed time. Cards can be purchased at CRT stations with refundable deposits and are also accepted at various retail outlets throughout Chongqing. Students' and Elders' Cards apply exclusively to bus services unless a cash sub-account is added free of charge at designated service centers, enabling a half-price discount on metro fares.

Time restrictions

Passengers must finish their journeys within three hours after entering the fare-controlled zone; failure to do so results in being charged the maximum fare available on the network.

Service management

To alleviate congestion during significant events, CRT occasionally shuts down specific stations. For example, following evening hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve in 2018, stations along Lines 1, 2, 3, 6, and the Loop line were closed to regulate passenger volumes.

Additionally, due to high demand during the Flower Expo, Grand Theater and Jiangbeicheng stations were closed during daytime periods from November 9 to 12 in 2018 and November 1 to 7 in 2019.

Accessibility features

Elevators and accessible restrooms are available at most stations, with nearly all trains equipped with wheelchair securing devices. Nonetheless, certain older trains and infrastructure on Line 2 do not fully support accessibility. Some legacy interchange corridors require passengers with disabilities to transfer through main concourses rather than direct accessible routes.

Luggage accommodations

Trains operating on Line 10, which links Jiangbei Airport with Chongqing North railway station, provide luggage racks in every car to serve travelers carrying baggage.

Development history

CRT emerged as part of the central government's Western Development strategy and received financial backing from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. The system's construction involved a partnership between Changchun Railway Vehicles Co. Ltd. and Hitachi Monorail, incorporating advanced monorail technology from Japan. Construction of Line 2 commenced in 1999 and officially opened in June 2005, running between Jiaochangkou (Jiefangbei CBD) and Chongqing Zoo.

Initial proposals and efforts

• 1946 proposal: The Nationalist government planned a high-speed tram network featuring rails weighing 47.77 kg/m, a track gauge of 1000 mm, maximum gradients of 9%, and minimum curve radii of 80 meters. Designed speeds were up to 25 kph within urban areas and 45 kph in suburban zones. Vehicles measured 8 meters by 1.8 meters, powered by two motors each producing 35 horsepower, accommodating up to 240 passengers with headways of ten minutes. Projected daily ridership was one million passengers. Portions of the system were intended to be underground.
  • Line A: Longmenhao to Ciqikou, comprising nine stations over 14.75 km
  • Line B: Longmenhao to Nanwenquan, seven stations spanning 19.49 km
  • Line C: Longmenhao to Datiankan, three stations covering 6.9 km

• 1958 initiative: Construction began under the "Yuzhong District Subway Engineering Unit" but was halted after one year.

• 1960 proposal: A rapid transit subway stretching approximately 100 km was planned to connect downtown with areas including Xinpaifang, Xiaolongkan, Yangjiaping, Shiqiaopu, Lianglukou, among others.

• 1965 effort: Work restarted employing over a thousand workers but ceased by late 1966 due to the Cultural Revolution. The unit was dissolved in 1971; tunnels completed up to that point were converted for civil defense use.

• 1983 plan: A subway line of about 12.2 km connecting Chaotianmen and Yangjiaping was proposed; this concept eventually evolved into today's Line 2.

• 1988 attempt: Hong Kong investors established a metro company based in Lianglukou; existing tunnel structures were extended further during this period.

• 1991 proposal: A monorail system consisting of four lines totaling approximately 55 km was proposed.

Formal long-range strategies

• 1998 plan: Envisioned a network of five lines covering roughly 119 km in total length.

• 2003 and 2007 plans: Expanded ambitions to about ten lines spanning nearly 522 km; notably, Line 4 underwent major redesign resulting in what is now the Loop line.

• 2011 plan: Introduced eight additional lines bringing the total network length close to 820 km.

• 2019 plan: Sets a goal for a comprehensive system comprising thirty lines by the year 2050, extending approximately 1473 km overall.

Inception and Development Phases

Line	Section		Construction Commencement	Operational Launch
Phase I (2000–2014)
Template:Lnl	Chaotianmen	Xiaoshizi	18 June 2007 (2007-06-18)	31 December 2020 (2020-12-31)
	Xiaoshizi	Jiaochangkou		28 July 2011 (2011-07-28)
	Jiaochangkou	Shapingba		27 September 2011 (2011-09-27)
	Shapingba	Daxuecheng		20 December 2012 (2012-12-20)
	Daxuecheng	Jiandingpo	20 September 2012 (2012-09-20)	30 December 2014 (2014-12-30)
Template:Lnl	Jiaochangkou	Daping	26 December 1999 (1999-12-26)	11 December 2004 (2004-12-11)
	Daping	Zoo		6 November 2004 (2004-11-06)
	Zoo	Xinshancun		July 2006 (2006-07)
	Xinshancun	Yudong	31 July 2008 (2008-07-31)	30 December 2014 (2014-12-30)
rowspan = "6" | Template:Lnl	Yudong	Chongqing Jiaotong University	2010 (2010)	28 December 2012 (2012-12-28)
Chongqing Jiaotong University	Lianglukou	rowspan = "2" | 6 April 2007 (2007-04-06)	30 December 2011 (2011-12-30)
Lianglukou	Longtousi	rowspan = "2" | 29 September 2011 (2011-09-29)	-	Longtousi	Yuanyang	rowspan = "3" | December 2008 (2008-12)	-	Yuanyang	Changfulu	8 October 2011 (2011-10-08)	-	Changfulu	Terminal 2 of Jiangbei Airport	30 December 2011 (2011-12-30)
Template:Lnl	Bijin	Jurenba	January 2013 (2013-01)	28 December 2016 (2016-12-28)
rowspan = "4" | Template:Lnl	Chayuan	Wulidian	rowspan = "4" | 2009 (2009)	30 December 2014 (2014-12-30)
Wulidian	Kangzhuang	{{Start date [df=yes] [2012] [09] [28] }}
Kangzhuang	Lijia		[2012] [12] [26] ]]
	Lijia		Beibei		[2013] [12] [31] ]]
	colspan=5 class="sortbottom" style="font-weight: bold;"	Phase II (2012–2020)
	rowspan=3	Chongqing Rail Transit/loop		Chongqing Library		Haixialu		rowspan=3	Start date/df=yes/2013/10/28		start date/df=yes/2018/12/28
	Haixialu		Erlang		start date/df=yes/2019/12/30
	Erlang		Chongqing Library		start date/df=yes/2021/01/20
	rowspan=2	Chongqing Rail Transit/4		Min'an Ave		Chongqing North Station North Square		rowspan=6	start date/df=yes/2013/12/03		start date/df=yes/2019/01/11
	Chongqing North Station North Square		Tangjiatuo		start date/df=yes/2018/12/28
	rowspan=4	Chongqing Rail Transit/5		The EXPO Garden Center		Dalongshan		start date/df=yes/2017/12/28
	Dalongshan		Dashiba		start date/df=yes/2018/12/24
	Dashiba		Shiqiaopu		start date/df=yes/2023/11/30
	Shiqiaopu		Tiaodeng		start date/df=yes/2021/01/20
	rowspan=2	Chongqing Rail Transit/6/i		Lijia		Yuelai		2009		start date / df = yes / 2013 /05 /15
	Yuelai		Shaheba		start date / df = yes / 2016 /10 /28		start_date / df = yes /2020 /12 /31
	rowspan=3	Chongqing Rail Transit /9		Xinqiao		Gaotanyan		rowspan=2	start_date / df = yes /2016 /09		Template:TBA
	Gaotanyan		Xingke Ave.		start_date / df = yes /2022 /01 /25
	Xingke Ave.		Huashigou		start_date / df = yes /2018		start_date / df = yes /2023 /01 /18
	rowspan=3	Chongqing Rail Transit /10		Lanhualu		Houbao		start_date / df = yes /2016 /10 /28		start_date / df = yes /2023 /11 /30
	Houbao		Liyuchi		start_date / df = yes /2016 /10 /28		start_date / df = yes /2023 /01 /18
	Liyuchi		Wangjiazhuang		start_date / df = yes /2014 /05		start_date / df = yes /2017 /12 /28
	colspan=5 class="sortbottom" style="font-weight: bold;"	Phase III (2018–2023)
	Chongqing Rail Transit /4		Tangjiatuo		Huangling		rowspan=3	start_date / df = yes /2019 /01 /25		start_date / df = yes /2022 /06 /18
	Chongqing Rail Transit /5		Yuegangbeilu		The EXPO Garden Center		start_date / df = yes /2023 /02 /27
	Chongqing Rail Transit /18		Fuhualu		Tiaodengnan		start_date / df = yes /2023 /12 /28
	Bitong line		Bishan		Tongliangxi		start_date  (df = yes) (2019) (11) (29)		start_date (df = yes) (2025) (1) (2)

Incidents

At approximately 14:00 on 8 January 2019, a train operating on the Loop line collided with an inadequately secured air defense lock, causing the train to derail and inflicting significant damage to the cabcar. This incident resulted in injuries to three staff members and one passenger; the driver succumbed to their injuries subsequently.

Technology

Line	Rolling stock			Signal system		Remarks
	Manufacturer	Train models		Manufacturer	CBTC
Template:Lnl	CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles	6As	66	Traffic Control Technology	Yes
Template:Lnl	CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles	6B	53	Siemens	Yes
Template:Lnl	Hitachi	4HL	2	The Nippon Signal	No
	CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles	4HL	25
		6HL	22
		8HL	12		Yes
Template:Lnl	CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles	6HL	54	Hitachi	Yes
		8HL	30
Template:Lnl	CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles	6As	49	United Mechanical & Electrical	Yes
Template:Lnl	CRRC Qingdao Sifang Locomotive & Rolling Stock	6As	39	China Railway Signal & Communication	Yes
	CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles		15
Template:Lnl	CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles	6B	57	Siemens	Yes

Visual design

Distinct from many other metro networks across China, Chongqing Rail Transit's signage was crafted by Japan's GK Design Group. Its monorail routes employ Hitachi Monorail technology, contributing to a uniquely Japanese-inspired aesthetic. Each transit line embraces a cultural motif that is showcased through station artwork.

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Line	Theme
	Impressions
	City spirit
	Bashu culture
	Folk life
	Arts
	Provisional capital era
	Landscape
	Citizens' memories

Expansion

By 2020, CRT planned to operate eight lines serving urban districts, including a loop line linking commercial hubs. The long-term vision encompasses a total of 17 lines by the year 2050.

Phase 4 projects

The National Development and Reform Commission gave approval for the short-term development plan that includes Line 4 (western extension), Line 6 (branch line), Lines 7, 15, 17, and Phase 2 of Line 18, as well as Lines 24 and 27. Construction activities commenced in March 2021. In April of the same year, plans for Lines 7 and 17 were revised from elevated monorail systems to conventional underground heavy-rail metro lines.

Scheduled opening	Project name		Termini		Track configuration	Rolling stock	Length (km)	Number of new stations	Construction start date	Ref.
2025	Template:Lnl	"Western extension"	"Min'an Ave." station	"Shunshuisi Park"	"Heavy-rail"	"6As"	"11.2"	"9"	"2021"	""
"2028"	"Template:Lnl"	"Phase 1"	"Kexuecheng"	"Jinfeng"	"Heavy-rail"	"4/6As"	"27.8"	"18"	"2024"	""
"2025"	"rowspan=2 Template:Lnl"	"Phase 1"	"Jiuquhe East"	"Liangjiang Movie City"	"Heavy-rail"	"6CRH6D"	"38.7"	"14"	"2021"	""
"2026"	"Phase 2"	"Zengjia"	"Jiuquhe East"	"Heavy-rail"	"6CRH6D"	"32.8"	"11"	"2021"	""
"2028"	"Template:Lnl"	"Phase 1"	"Shijiayuanzi"	"Daxuecheng station (Chongqing Rail Transit)"	"Heavy-rail"	"4As"	"14.17"	"9"	"2025"	" "
"2025"	"rowspan=2 Template:Lnl"	"Northern extension"	"Fuhualu station"	"Xiaoshizi station"	"Heavy-rail"	"6As"	"10.6"	"8"	"2021"	" "
"|Template:Lnl"	'Phase 1'	'Lujiao North'	'Guangyangwan'	'Heavy-rail'	'6As'	'19'	'12'	'2021'	' '
'2027'	'Template:Lnl'	'Full line'	'Bishan station (Chongqing Rail Transit)'	'Chongqing East Station'	'Heavy-rail'	'6CRH6D'	'49'	'14'	'Feb 2022'	' '
' '	'Template:Lnl'	'Phase 2'	'Shengquansi'	'Dingshan'	'Heavy-rail'	'6As'	'4.524'	'2'	'Dec 2022'	' '
214.494 100 colspan=2 | } See also Chongqing Suburban Railway Compilation of metro systems List of monorail systems Urban rail transit in China External links Official Chongqing Rail Transit website , English translation via Google Information on Chongqing Transport Card , English version through Google Translate UrbanRail.net overview of Chongqing Rail Transit Geographic map Photo gallery of Chongqing Rail Transit