Shanghai’s first driverless subway trains to hit the rails soon!

Shanghai’s first fully-automated metro line featuring driverless trains is set to start rolling soon, giving those living down in Pujiang town a convenient and futuristic way of getting downtown.

The 6.7 kilometer Pujiang Line has six elevated stations, running from Huizhen Road up to Shendu Highway Station, where passengers can then transfer over to Line 8.

It is an APM (Automated People Mover), Shanghai’s first, where operations are entirely controlled remotely from a central dispatch room, leaving passengers with a clear view out of both the front and back windows.

Along with being driverless, the line’s trains are also more lightweight and energy efficient than your usual metro carriages. In addition, they also boast rubber tires that reduce noise.

The line has passed its trials runs. While no official start date has yet been announced, Shine reports that it’s possible that operations will begin in a few weeks. During the first few months, metro officers will be on hand, both on platforms and inside the trains, to ensure that there are no issues.

Similar APMs have already popped up in cities around the world, including in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Guangzhou. The Pujiang Line was designed and built with help from Keolis, a France-based transport group that is the world’s leader in automated metro operations.

[Images via Shine / Xinhua]

TRENDING

EVENTS