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November 17, 2012

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Home » Metro » Public Services

Plan calls for suspension monorail

SHANGHAI plans to build the country's first suspension monorail to improve transportation in the increasingly busy Hongqiao area, an official said yesterday.

The electricity-powered monorail has a planned length of about 10 kilometers and is expected to connect Metro stations, residential areas, office buildings and Hongqiao International Airport in the Hongqiao Transport Hub, according to an STV news report yesterday.

The monorail, which has been nicknamed air train, will be capable of transporting more than 6,000 passengers per hour, Li Yaoxin, director of Changning District, told STV.

"Our plan is to connect some important spots in the area and make it a ring," Li said. "We can connect different Metro lines, the high-speed railway station, terminals 1 and 2 at the Hongqiao airport and the exhibition center."

A preliminary study has been completed. If approved, the monorail is expected to open by the end of 2015.

A suspension monorail is supported by steel or concrete girders with the track above the train carriages, making it look as if it is floating, officials said, adding that it's easier to build than a subway network.

The Hongqiao Transport Hub, including an airport, a high-speed railway station, two subway lines and dozens of office buildings and residential areas, has become one of the busiest areas in the city.

The hub handles an average of 700,000 passengers per day. It is expected to reach 1.4 million in about five years.




 

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