Changchun Rail Transit, is the rapid transit and light rail system in the city of Changchun, Jilin Province, China. Its first line, Line 3, is the first true light rail line in Mainland China. The system consists of three light rail lines and three rapid transit lines. The current total length of the network is 140.77 km with 123 stations. 3 sections of 3 lines are under construction.

History

Line 1

Construction of the first heavy-rail metro line, Line 1, started in 2011, and opened for service on 30 June 2017. Line 1 serves 15 stations and is 18.14 km long.

Line 2

Construction on the second heavy-rail metro line, Line 2, started in 2012, and opened for service on 30 August 2018. Line 2 serves 21 stations and is 24.9 km long.

Line 8

A new light rail line link the North Lake area, numbered Line 8, opened for service on June 30, 2018, 16 years after Line 3 opened. Line 8 is the first light rail line using the same fare with the metro system, and the first line to directly interchange with the metro system.

Fare System

On May 30, 2019, the fare systems of the original light rail system (Line 3 and Line 4) and the new metro system (Line 1, Line 2 and Line 8) were combined, and passengers can directly transfer between the original light rail system and the new metro system.

Network

Line 1

Line 1 is the first rapid transit metro line Changchun, running on the north-south central axis of Changchun. Line 1's color is <span style="color:#;">red.

Line 2

Line 2 is the second metro line in Changchun, running on the east-west central axis of Changchun. Line 2's color is <span style="color:#;">blue.

Line 3

Line 3 marked the inaugural rail line to commence operations in Changchun. It forms an S-shaped route encircling the city center, constituting the western segment of the light rail loop and extending as an outer-loop branch to the Jingyue area. This line operates with low-floor light rail vehicles rather than the conventional rapid transit rolling stock. In contrast to subsequent lines, Line 3 predominantly operates at ground level in its western section, running parallel to the Jingha railway, and primarily travels on elevated tracks in the eastern portion. Notably, the line is not entirely grade-separated, as it retains four level crossings even after undergoing several renovations. Line 3's color is <span style="color:#;">green.

Line 4

Line 4 is another light rail line. Unlike line 3, it has complete grade separation, but still uses the same low-floor light rail vehicles as line 3, similar to the Seville Metro in Spain. It runs in a north-south direction, close to the Yitong river, making up the east half of light rail loop. The line runs mostly on elevated viaducts with an underground section in the north. Line 4's color is <span style="color:#;">purple.

Line 6

Line 6 is a new metro line that commenced operations in 2024, traversing the South New Area of Changchun. This line connects Changchun West Railway Station with the Jingyue district, following a route along the southern corridor of Line 3 to alleviate passenger congestion on that line. Line 6's color is <span style="color:#;">pink.

Line 8

Line 8 is a light rail line, operating in the northern region to connect the North Lake area with the heart of Changchun, which includes a link to Line 1. Similar to Line 4, Line 8 is entirely grade-separated and utilizes low-floor light rail vehicles. However, it differs in that it operates entirely on elevated tracks as opposed to running partially underground. Line 8's color is <span style="color:#;">teal.

Opening timeline

Future development

The Phase 3 (2019-2024) expansion of Changchun Rail Transit was approved by the NDRC on November 30, 2018. According to the plan, Changchun Rail Transit will be 235 km in length in 2024.

Under construction

Planned