Transportation
Reaching almost every corner of the city, covering all the prosperous areas, the Metro is the fastest and most convenient way to move about in the downtown area. There are now thirteen lines and in December 2007 Shanghai's subway systems overtook Paris as the seventh longest network in the world.
The Shanghai Metro rapid-transit system and elevated light rail has eleven lines at present and extends to every core urban district as well as neighboring suburban districts such as Songjiang, Minhang and Jiading. It is one of the fastest-growing metro systems in the world — the first line opened in 1995 , the Shanghai Metro is the 9th busiest system worldwide and the largest in the world by length (420 km). Shanghai also has the world's most extensive bus system with nearly one thousand bus lines, operated by numerous transportation companies. Not all of Shanghai's bus routes are numbered—some have names exclusively in Chinese.
Central Shanghai is also a good walking city. Beside Shanghai have an extensive public transport system, largely based on buses, trolleybuses, and a rapidly expanding metro system. All of these public transport tools can be accessed using the Shanghai Public Transportation Card, which uses radio frequencies so the card does not have to physically touch the scanner.
The old buildings and small alleys are actually best explored on foot. Just be careful when crossing the street. You may have to cross the street lane by lane. If so, thread your way carefully and steadily among the vehicles.
Bus fares, though having fixed, non-distance-reliant rates, depend on the bus, while Metro fares depend on distance traveled.
Before the 1990s, bicycling was the most ubiquitous form of transport in Shanghai, but the city has since banned bicycles on many of the city's main roads to ease congestion. However, many streets have bicycle lanes and intersections are monitored by "Traffic Assistants" who help provide for safe crossing. Further, the city government has pledged to add 180 km of cycling lanes over the next few years. It is worth notingthat a number of the main shopping and tourist streets, Nanjing Road and Huaihai Road do not allow bicycles.
With rising disposable incomes, private car ownership in Shanghai has also been rapidly increasing in recent years. The number of cars is limited, however, by the number of available number plates available at public auction. Since 1998 the number of new car registrations is limited to 50,000 vehicles a year.
Taxis
They are relatively cheap (compared to other international cities) and plentiful, can be found at all hours. It’s like having a car except you don’t have to worry about parking. The one exception is when it rains. Then it seems that all the taxis disappear and people who never want to get out where you’re waiting have commandeered the few that are left.
There are close to 50,000 taxis and about 100 different taxi companies. The Shanghai government however, is encouraging them to merge into larger groups to assist with quality control and safety. The quality and cleanliness of each cab varies, with the larger fleets offering the most meticulous service. You can flag an available taxi down almost anywhere, marked by the “Taxi” light on their hood.
Officially they are not allowed to stop at busy intersections, entrances of the Metro and railway stations, at yellow curbs, and at areas with “no stopping” or “no parking” signs. So far this applies only if there is a policeman around. While there are not many taxi stands right now, more will undoubtedly appear in the near future. Newer ones have the word Taxi Station (chu zu che yang zhao) written on them.
Most cabbies know their way around and expertly negotiate the city’s busy traffic. Taxis are usually readily available, but hailing one in rush hours is difficult and on rainy days almost impossible.
Shanghai’s taxis are colorful, unlike New York City’s, which are all yellow. Cyan, yellow, white, green, blue, red, dark blue and dark red are the main colors of the taxis in Shanghai and the colors denote different taxi companies. Dark blue and dark red are the colors for the city’s hundreds of small and medium taxi companies.
Real taxis have a logo light on the top of the car. Around the driver’s seat are transparent shields protecting the driver from robbery. A meter and an illuminated vacancy disk on the dashboard are also necessities for a cab. Without all these things, the taxi is probably unlicensed and you should avoid it, even if the driver solicits you. You have no rights if injured in an unlicensed taxi.
The vacancy disk will help you know which cab is available. When the disk is upright and illuminated showing two Chinese characters -- 空车 -- it means the cab is vacant.
Tips
As mentioned, you may find cabs scarce in rush hours and on rainy days. Taxi call centers will also become too busy to reach in these situations. Your best bet is probably to head for places taxis haunt, such as restaurants. Although taxis don't often park outside restaurants, many people go there by taxi. If you are quick enough, you can jump in as other passengers get out.
Don't try to hail a cab at a crossroads, as taxi drivers cannot stop their cars within 30 meters from an intersection to pick up passengers.
Cabbies in Shanghai are also not allowed to take a tip. Most of them are amicable, but their English is limited. So it's best to get someone to write down your destination in Chinese.
Remember to take the receipt. The slip will contain information on the taxi, including its plate number and the taxi company. In case you leave something in the car, the receipt will give you clues to find it.
Rates
All taxis have the same rate. The minimum is RMB 12 from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.The starting rate is RMB 16 from 11:00 PM onward, for the first 3km. After that the rates are RMB 2.4 per km. It jumps again at 10km to RMB 3.6 per km in the daytime and RMB 2.7 per km after 3km in the night but in 10km and it will jump again to RMB 4.0 per km according to your joinery. Taxis have a maximum limit of four passengers. As with all prices in China, you can try negotiating if you want the taxi for a long time (reserving it for a day for example), a long journey (going to Pudong Airport or to Suzhou), or late at night (when there are an abundance of taxies). Pay with a jiao tong yi ka tong (Public transport card) and you won’t have to worry about giving the driver a RMB 100 bill.
Taking a taxi is much more expensive than taking a bus, but it is far from a luxury.
Ordering Taxis By Phone
If you order a taxi by phone, the meter begins when you get in. Vans can be ordered at about the same rate, making it easier to pick up friends with luggage at the airport or when there are more than four people.
There is no service fee for phone bookings except Dazhong company, which charges 4 yuan for each telephone or online reservation. The taxi hotline is 96822 and English is available. You can also send a short message of your detailed location to the call center’s short message service (SMS) platform to ask for a taxi. The center will notify you in about 10 minutes whether a cab is available. China Mobile subscribers should send messages to 555596965, and China Unicom users to 2196965. But the SMS platform is not available yet in English. In addition to the 96965 hotline, the four biggest taxi operators in Shanghai have their own call centers, but no SMS service.
Receipt
A receipt is generated by for every taxi ride by means of a taximeter. Always take the receipt because it contains all the pertinent information you need should you inadvertently leave something in a taxi or have a complaint.
Lost Item
Call the phone number for the taxi company printed on the receipt. Give them the cab number, the time of the ride, and the pickup and drop off location. If you discover your loss right away, the taxi company will radio the driver and the chances of getting your things back are very good.
Complaints
The Shanghai local government recognizes the importance of honest taxi behavior to their tourism industry and has strict requirements of drivers’ conduct. Every complaint against a taxi driver is taken seriously. Language difficulties make it hard to distinguish when a driver is cheating you or when there is an honest misunderstanding. Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to know the average cost of the fare of your trip ahead of time.
Major Taxi Companies
Dazhong: 96822
Qiangsheng: 6258 0000
Jinjiang: 96961
Bashi: 96840
Haibo: 96965
Bigger Or Luxurious Car
If you have more than three companions, you can phone Dazhong's call center (96822) to book a bigger taxi, which can accommodate as many as seven passengers. The fares are the same as ordinary cabs.
Mini-Bus
If you have more than 10 companions, you need to book a mini-bus, and you can dial Jinjiang's hotline 96961. But the supply of mini-buses is limited, so you should make a reservation as early as you can.
Bus And Coach
If you want to rent a coach, the number 6384-1890 or 5633-8484 of Bashi or 6317-9190 of Dazhong will be useful for you. The companies can provide a variety of buses with 10 to 50 seats. But buses are charged on a daily basis rather than metered. Fares range from 500 yuan a day to more than 1,000 yuan a day.
Van
If you are moving house, you can dial Dazhong's 96811 or Qiangsheng's 62580000 to book a van. The minimum cost of a van of 0.6-ton capacity is 20 yuan covering 3 kilometers, and 3 yuan for every additional kilometer. The minimum cost of a van of 0.9-ton capacity is 25 yuan covering 3 kilometers, and 3.5 yuan for every additional kilometer.
Buses
As Shanghai implements its urban plan of moving most of its residents from the existing older inner city housing to the suburban outskirts, more and more will depend on the public bus system to make their way to work. So avoid the buses during rush hour at all cost. The compression of bodies on bodies is shunned by all but the hardiest of the Chinese.
Massive renewal is planned which might make bus transport a more comfortable option in the future. The plan calls for increasing the number of buses to 10,000 by 2005. This is a 60% increase in the current number of buses. Old buses are also getting refurbished. Unfortunately there are no maps at the bus stops, only a list of the stops in Chinese. Popular stops may service 10 different bus lines entailing a profusion of signs, numbers, and stops. This makes for great confusion, even for locals.
Sightseeing Buses
Ten lines depart from the Shanghai Stadium going to all the favorite tourist spots in Shanghai. These newer and air-conditioned buses run at 15-20 minutes intervals, beginning from as early as 6:30 AM and ending anywhere between 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The cost ranges from RMB2 to RMB12, depending on the length of the trip. Supposedly to serve the tourism trade, they have become another resource to the locals as some routes, the Pudong, for example, are cheaper than city buses. Some pass by shopping routes so take advantage of them。
Long Distance Buses
Longer distance private bus services are becoming more readily available. Air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats, video screening and occasionally toilets are an alternative to regular buses and trains. They are great for weekend trips when you don’t want to brave the crowds. Early booking is suggested, although, currently there is no easy way to book a ticket from your destination back to Shanghai.
Hours of Operation
With over a thousand bus lines, the times vary greatly. On the average bus, trips in the downtown area will begin around 4:45 AM and end around 11:00 PM. Midnight buses pick up the slack from midnight to about 4:30 AM at half-hour intervals, selected lines only.
Train
Two railways intersect in Shanghai: Jinghu Railway (京沪铁路) passing through Nanjing, and Huhang Railway (Shanghai–Hangzhou). Shanghai is served by two main railway stations, Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai South Railway Station. Express service to Beijing through D-series trains is more convenient. Under construction are the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and another from Shanghai to Hangzhou.
More than six national expressways (prefixed with "G") from Beijing and from the region around Shanghai connect to the city. Shanghai itself has six toll-free elevated expressways (skyways) in the urban core and 18 municipal expressways (prefixed with "A"). There are ambitious plans to build expressways connecting Shanghai's Chongming Island with the urban core. For a city of Shanghai's size, road traffic is still fairly smooth and convenient but getting more congested as the number of cars increases rapidly.
China’s rail system is the lifeline between the rural areas and the cities and between all major cities. While it is convenient and cheap, it is not for the faint-hearted. Shanghai living is an oasis compared to the rest of the country, and nowhere is this more evident than a ride on the train. A day trip to Suzhou is not a problem but before you go planning a summer vacation with the folks visiting from home, decide on how much immersion you would really like to experience.
Buying a Ticket at the Station
Any travel agent can deliver a train ticket to your door for a fee. However, if you are being spontaneous and want to just show up and see what’s available, go to the ticket counters inside the station most ticket counters will be able to sell same day tickets. Designated ticket counters sell tickets 3-12 days in advance. For tickets more than 12 days in advance, you will have to book through a travel agent. There are also designated tickets counters for foreigners – look for the sign in English.
Ticket Class Designations
“No Designated Seat” - no seat but you may stand wherever you can find a spot. Even these tickets can be a challenge to buy during holiday travel, when getting any ticket it is considered rack, even traveling long distances of 24 hours or more.
“Hard Seat” - this is just what they say - sitting on hard benches, sometimes three to a bench. If the train is from the countryside, chances are those sitting around you have rarely seen a foreigner up close so you will be scrutinized with interest.
“Soft Seat” - introduced mainly for the tourist trade. These carriages are used for popular tourist stops like Suzhou, Nanjing, and Hangzhou. Soft-seat trains run mostly during the day.
“Hard-Sleepers” - are not seats at all but bunks, three up on each side of a stall. They are semi-enclosed, with no doors, and bedding is provided.
“Soft-Sleeper” - a comfortable private cabin with 4 bunks, bedding is provided, ideal for those traveling in a group. However, if you’re struck with strangers who smoke (if you don’t) or snore (and you don’t), it could all be a bit too close for comfort.
When all the tickets have been sold, you can still get on the train with a no-seat class ticket. Look for the train steward and get an update to a seat or a better class of seats by paying an extra fee.
Train toilets—before booking your 36 hours train ride to enjoy the countryside, a word of warning for those to whom toilet hygiene is of importance, they are basically an opening to the track below.
Train Food
Carts come around with everything from water to rice wine and from peanuts to stamps. At every stop, hawkers on the platform will crowd around the windows looking to sell their soy sauce chicken or sweetened buns. There is also piping hot water in train cars, everyone will have bought along an empty jar with tealeaves. Stock up on instant noodles if you have an aversion to trying food from unknown origins.
The Maglev
With a top speed of 431 km/h (268 mph). In cooperation with the Shanghai municipality and the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co. (SMT), German Transrapid constructed the first commercial high speed Maglev railway in the world in 2002, from Shanghai's Longyang Road subway station in Pudong to Pudong International Airport. Commercial operation started in 2003.
The Shanghai Transrapid Maglev Line, the world’s first high-speed commercial commuter system using state of the art electro magnetic levitation technology, was put into trial operation in year 2003 shuttle in between Long Yang Road Subway stationand Pudong Airport station. The maximum operation speed has been adjusted to 300 km/h from 430km/h and the single way travel shall take 8 minutes and 10 seconds instead of 7 minutes and 20 seconds during the extended period of time (from 7:00 to 8:30 and from 17:30 to 21:00). The maximum speed during the original operation period of 9 hours (from 8:30 to 17:30) remains at 430km/h for the purpose of fulfilling the demonstration function of Shanghai Maglev Line and need of passengers for experiencing flying at the limit speed of 430km/h.
Shanghai Maglev train has been in safe and good operation for over 1000 days and covered more than 2 million km and carried an accumulative total of over 5 million person-times since the trial. Single trip ticket 50 yuan Round trip ticket 80yuan Single trip ticket by presenting air-ticket of the same day (with the exception of electronic ticket and other vouchers) 40 yuan Operation time: 7:00-21:00.
Metro (Subway)
One of the world’s newest, most rapidly expanding subway systems, the Shanghai Metro operates 13 lines. According to long-term plans the city wants to build 18 metro lines and 10 light rails before the year 2025. A lot of these have been planned for completion before the 2010 Expo in Shanghai.
The Shanghai subway is one of the youngest in the world and may well become the most rapidly expanding subway in the world, if the same pace of construction continues. The first line was opened in 1995 as a north-south axis from the Central Station to the southern suburbs.
The Shanghai Metro is an urban rapid transit system that serves the city of Shanghai by transporting around 1.8million passengers each day. The system incorporates both subways and elevated light railways. As new metro lines are opened, passenger volumes are expected to rise significantly. It is the third city in China to build a subway system following Beijing and Tianjin and now Shanghai operates more lines than any other subway system in mainland China.
Opened Lines
Line 1 runs from Xin Zhuang(from south) via Shanghai South Railway Station, PeopleSquare, Shanghai Railway Station to Fu Jin Road (from north). The whole length is 37 km. And it has 28 stations. The symbol color is red.
Line 2 runs from East Xujing (from west) via Zhong Shan Park, Shi Ji Avenue, to Pudong Airport (from east). It is 60 km, holding 31 stations. The symbol color is jade green.
Line 3 runs from Shanghai South Railway Station via Zhong Shan Park, Shanghai Railway Station to North Jiang Yang Road. The whole length is 40.3 km, and it has 29 stations. The symbol color is yellow.
Line 4 is a unique loop-line among Shanghai subway lines, The whole length is about 33.6km including the overlap with Line 3. It runs from Tang Qiao Via Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Zhong Shang Park, and Shanghai Railway Station to Nan Pu Bridge, totally 26 stops. The symbol color of Line 4 is deep purple.
Line 5 with 17.04 km length runs from Xin Zhuang station(from north). And the terminal station is Ming Hang Developing Area( from south). It has 11 stations, and the symbol color is lilac.
Line 6 travels through the whole Pu Dong Newly District, and it comes from northern Gaoqiao Gang Chen Road, and ends in southern Saning Area Topic Park. It holds about 33.1 km, totally 29 stops. It runs from Lingyan Nan Road to Gang Cheng Road.
Line 7 started to construct in Dec 24th 2005 and complete in the end of 2009. The whole way is 35km and with 27 stations which will past the most EXPO stations in Pudong. It runs from Bao Shan Wai Huan Road, via Pu Tuo, Jian An, Xu Hui, to International Exposition Centre in Pu Dong.
Line 8 runs from Shi Guang Road to Yao Hua Road. This is the first phase, but the terminal goal is to Pu Jiang Expos Homestead. The whole length is 23.3km. And it has 21 stations during the first stage currently.
Line 9 runs from Song Jiang Newly District to Yang Gao Zhong Road. The whole way is about 46km. And it owns 23 stations.
Line 10 runs from Hangzhong Lu to Newly Jiang Wan District
Line 11 started to construct in March 1st 2007 and open on 31st Dec 2009 . The main line is from Newly Jia Ding District to Jiang Su Road(first term), and the branch line links Shanghai International Racing Field and An Ting Car City. The whole length isabout 60 km. The second term construction is from Jiang Su Road to San Lin. It runs from San Lin to North Jia Ding.
Buying a Metro Ticket
It is strongly advisable to buy tickets from a ticket vending machine which automatically calculates the fare according to the destination station you go to the booth and ask for your station. For the machine, check the chart to see how much a trip to your stop costs. Choose the corresponding price, insert the money, and get the change and the ticket specify. However, general knowledge of how the fare is calculated will be helpful.
Three - Color System
For an increased convenience, the Shanghai metro incorporates a "Three-color system". Launched on December 31, 2009, this groundbreaking new system provides visitors with an easy way of getting around the metropolitan city.
The colors, serving much like traffic lights, are red, yellow and green. The colors represent three distinct states of the train. The Red represents that the operation is interrupted, while the yellow and green show that the train is in a crowded state or normal flow, respectively.
The information is uploaded in "real time", allowing the waiting passengers to determine the status, as displayed on the monitors variously located in the stations. Information about different lines will also be accessible from inside the train and on the Official Shanghai Metro Website (www.shmetro.com).
New Operations
Line 10 have three stops inside the future Hongqiao Integrated Transport Hub. These have been named Hongqiao Railway Station, Eastern Hongqiao Airport Station and Western Hongqiao Airport Station.
The Metro stations have also connect the Shanghai-Beijing and Shanghai-Nanjing express rail station, the eastern and western traffic centers inside the hub next to the airport terminal. The transport hub is connect with Hongqiao Airport's new terminal.
Line 10 also have a branch route in Hongqiao area to run between Shanghai Zoo Station and the Hanghua residential complex.
The 40.4-kilometer Line 12 is designed to connect Minhang District in southwest Shanghai and the northern part of Pudong New Area after passing through Xuhui, Luwan, Jing'an, Zhabei, Hongkou and Yangpu districts.
The southwest-to-northeast line have 31 stations, all underground, from Qixin Road in Minhang to Jinhai Road in Pudong.
Nineteen stations on Line 12 will connect with 16 other Metro lines -- Line 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19 and the extension of Metro Line 5.
Inter Change
In Shanghai subway system, interchange means that passenger can change differernt Lines at some fixed station throught the connection passage inside the station. And fare would still be accounted by total km continually( the total km is the first km plus the second km).
Xinzhuang is an interchange between Line1 and Line5.
Shanghai South Railway Station is an interchange between Line 1 and Line3.
Shanghai Indoor Stadium is an interchange between Line 1 and Line 4.
People’s Square is interchange between Line 1, Line2 and Line 8.
Shanghai Railway Station is an interchange between Line1, Line 3 and Line4.
Zhongshan Park is an interchange between Line2, Line 3 and Line 4
Shiji Avenue is a tinder change between Line 2, Line 9, Line4 and Line6.
Baoshan Road Zhongtan Road, Zhenping Road Caoyang Road ,Jiashajiang Road Yan’an Road(west) and Hongqiao Road are interchanges between Line and Line4. This is where Line 3 and Line 4 overlap together one route between Baoshan Road and Hoangqiao Road.
Lancun Road is an interchange between Line4 and Line6. To the north, Line 4 and Line 6 both stop at Pudian Road but she’s two stations are not located together and interchanging is not possible.
Xizang Road(South) is an interchange between Line 4 and Line 8。
Advantages And Disadvantages
The Shanghai Metro, as with elsewhere in the world, is the quickest method to get around a congested metropolis. It's also much cheaper than taxis with maximum fares of 7 yuan per journey. Some special advantages of the Shanghai metro is that it's easy to understand for foreigners due to the simple graph format of its maps, and signs are in both Chinese and Pinyin.
Another special advantage is that it's by far the best way to get across the Huangpu between Pudong and Puxi. Finally it connects both train stations in Shanghai and provides a link to the maglev which goes to Pudong airport.
However, the Metro has its disadvantages. It is extremely crowded in rush hours and Line 1 is crowded in whatever hours. Even the act of getting on and off the trains can be tiresome as people typically don't wait for passengers to disembark before getting on. Also be wary of thieves, both on the train and on the platform, especially when it is extremely crowded.