This article originally appeared on our sister website, Urban Family Shanghai.
By Yuzhou Hu
As we reported back in January, two more Metro lines will commence operation this year, making the world's longest Metro network stretch even longer. Following the completion of Line 5's South Extension earlier this month, new sections of Line 13 have now passed the assessment, and are slated to open to the public by the end of the year, reports Shine.
Covering a distance of 21.5 kilometers (13.36 miles), the second and third phases of Line 13 starts from Shibo Avenue Station and ends at Zhangjiang Lu Station. Together there are 12 brand-new stations, covering transit to Line 6, 7, 8 and 16 en route.
Image via Wikipedia
While we have to wait a few more days before we can access these newly-built stations, here is a sneak peek at photos released by Shentong Metro Group (the operator of Shanghai Metro).
The signs for each station were designed by 12 renowned calligraphers, making the trip on Line 13 kind of like a moving exhibition.
Images via shmetro/Weibo
In addition, the ceilings are decorated with ancient Chinese-style objects and paintings, adding a touch of traditional flair.
Images via shmetro/Weibo
Image via NetEase
In addition to the cultural details, a lot of emphasis has been placed on technology as well. The ticketing machines now include an LED screen above, displaying information like ticket prices and real-time location of trains in both Chinese and English. At Zhongke Lu Station, there are now two robot 'employees' standing by, which can answer (literally) basic inquiries like how to purchase the tickets or which exit to use.
Image via NetEase
Moreover, facilities within the stations are made generally more accessible. For instance, the information desks are now lower than before to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs. For visually impaired commuters, the team of Shanghai Metro has developed a navigation system using Bluetooth technology.
Image via NetEase
The Shentong Metro Group has announced that both Phase 2 and 3 of Line 13 and South Extension of Line 5 will open by the end of year, while the exact dates have not been confirmed.
[Cover image via NetEase]
This article was originally published by our sister magazine Urban Family Shanghai. For more articles like this, visit the Urban Family website, or follow the Urban Family WeChat account (ID: urbanfamilyshanghai).
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