Line 9 is a rapid transit line of the Tianjin Metro. It spans 52.8 km with 21 stations, connecting the urban area of Tianjin with Binhai New Area, a new area within the jurisdiction of Tianjin Municipality. The one-way journey time is approximately one hour. Line 9 is run by Tianjin Binhai Mass Transit Development Co., Ltd, which became a subsidiary of Tianjin Rail Transit Group Corporation in 2017.

Design

Most of the line is elevated that runs parallel to the Jinbin Expressway (only the westernmost 6.67 km runs in tunnels). Hence, it is often wrongly called "light rail", as is commonplace in China with elevated or at-grade metro lines. Trains can reach a speed of up to 100 kph. Of the 4 bridges along the line, the No. 1 and No. 4 bridges are longer and use ballastless track, while the No. 2 and No. 3 bridges use ballasted track. The No. 1 bridge, from Guanghua Road (between Dongxing Road and Zhongshanmen stations) to Babao, with a total length of 25.8 km, is the longest bridge used in rapid transit systems in China.

History

Line 9 first opened on 28 March 2004. It was extended to on 15 October 2012, connecting with the main metro network by allowing passengers to transfer to Lines 2 and 3. Train service on the whole line was suspended on 13 August 2015 after a series of massive explosions devastated the area. The explosions occurred less than a kilometre from Donghailu station; the roof of the station collapsed, and the control centre nearby was destroyed. It resumed operation on 16 December from Tianjin Railway Station to Tianjin Pipe Corporation Station.

Timeline

Chronology of section openings

Stations (west to east)

Service routes:

Rolling stock