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SHANGHAI TRANSPORTATION

Transportation

The best way, by far, to get around Shanghai is by taxi. They're plentiful and amazingly cheap. You can save money by taking the subway or a bus, but because the Metro isn't completed, there are only a limited number of stops. As for buses, the time and discomfort they require aren't worth the savings. They're crowded, and you'll probably have to transfer a few times to get where you want to go.

Central Shanghai is also a good walking city. 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.

Shanghai is constantly changing, expanding and rerouting. Getting around therefore has it own challenges. Buildings are being torn down and new ones erected overnight. Taxi drivers are used to a street being open one day and closed the next. Also being created is the world’s long rest urban metro system, consisting of about 175km of underground tunnels. Over a hundred years behind metro systems of other big cities, Shanghai is taking advantage of the fact that there are no old lines to replace, only brave new technologies to conquer.

Taxis

Common Taxi Misunderstandings - never assume that your driver knows where you want to go even if you speak impeccable Chinese. So, it is wise to ask if the driver really know the right way (Ni Zhi Dao Zen me Qu?) before getting in a taxi.

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.

Rates

All taxis have the same rate. The minimum is RMB11 from 5am to 11pm.The starting rate is RMB14 from 11pm onward, for the first 3km. After that the rates are RMB2 per km. It jumps again at 10km to RMB3 per km. 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 RMB100 bill.

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.

Receipt (fa piao)

A receipt is generated by for every taxi ride by means of a taximeter. Always take the fapiao 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 pick up 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.

Remarks: Basic rate for a VW Santana taxi is RMB11.00 for 3km, plus RMB 2.00 per km after 3km and RMB2.6 after 10 kilometers.

Chinese drivers would make you look absolutely angelic on the road. But, like everything else, there is a system within the chaos. Once you catch on, driving allows you to explore areas around the city without being limited to the train or bus schedule.

To obtain a Chinese driver license you must have:

- Requires a valid Shanghai Residence Permit. If you are more than 3 months into your validity period and less than one year (for one year permits), you can only apply for a temporary drivers license.

- A copy of your current drivers license translated into Chinese. The translation has to be done either at Shanghai International Studies University (189 Xi Tiyuhui Road) or by the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Translation Committee (Building 2,Kunshan School, 111 Kunshan Road)

- Your Passport

- An eyesight and hearing test

To apply for your license, bring all the paperwork to:

Shanghai Public Security Motor Vehicles Administration Bereau-1101 Zhongshan Bei Yi Road, near Wenshui Dong Road

Buying a Car

Since the registration process is quite daunting and complicated, when buying a car-new or used car, it’s advisable to go through a dealer who can do it all for you, including the insurance. If you buy from a private individual, it is still worthwhile to find a broker to go through the registration process for you.

Accidents on the Road

In the event of a minor injury, do not pay the other party anything without first contacting the police. Call 110 and give the operator your location. The police will assess the situation and write up a report.

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 minute intervals, beginning from as early as 6:30am and ending anywhere between 5 to 7:00pm. 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 4:45am and end around 11pm.Midnight buses pick up the slack from midnight to about 4:30am at half-hour intervals, selected lines only.

Semi-Private Vans (mini buses) xiao ba

Semi-private bus companies supplement some busy routes and outer areas. These vans can pick up passengers. They are slightly more expensive but will make non-designated stops along the route.

Public buses to Pudong Airport

Downtown check-in for Pudong flights can be done at the Shanghai Airport Terminal (shanghai hang yun zhan da lou) across the street from the Jing’an Park that is right above the Jing’an Station on Metro Line 2. This new building will let you check in for your flight along with your luggage, saving the headache of managing your entire heavy luggage yourself.

Train System

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 ticket 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.

Renting a Car

The car rental industry is very new. All renters must have at least a temporary Chinese Drivers License. Rentals available at the Airports:
SANTANA RMB 8, 000/month, BUICK or AUDI RMB 12, 000-14, 000/month with no petroleum and driver;
Driver’s salary is RMB 1500-2000/month, additional payment for overtime.

Metro (Subway)

Currently there are five lines that crisscross Shanghai. Line 1, 21.4 km long, runs from Xinzhuang via Shanghai Railway Station to Gongfu Xincun. Line 2, is 19.2 km in length, runs from Zhongshan Park to Zhangjiang Hi-tech Industry Zone. Line 3 is 25 km in length and runs from Jiangwan Town to Shanghai South Railway Station. Line 4 is 25 km in length and overlaps with Line 3, the extended Line 4 section opened in January 2006; the remaining section will be open before the end of 2007 to form a complete circular line.

Fare

Depends on how far you are traveling. For most lines, the basic fare is 3 yuan for journeys under 6km, then 1 yuan for each additional 10 km. Since the longest possible journey is 50 km long, the highest fare is 8 yuan. For journeys exclusively on Line 5 (From Xinzhuang to Minhang Development Zone), the fare is 2 yuan for journeys under 6 km and all other journeys are 3 Yuan (the total length of this line being 16 km). If you make use of a Shanghai Public Transportation Card and your fare reaches 70 Yuan in a month, there will be a 10% discount for the rest of the calendar month.

Buying a Metro Ticket

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 change and the ticket. Newer signs have pinyin, older ones do not, so it’s best to learn to recognize the characters for your stop, or get them written down.

Metro Lines

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. After the first line opened in 1995 as a north-south axis from the Central Station to the southern suburbs, to be followed on only four years later by the first section of the second line.

The Shanghai Metro (上海轨道交通) is an urban rapid transit system that serves the city of Shanghai by transporting around 1.8 million passengers each day. The system incorporates both subways (地铁) and elevated light railways (轻轨). 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 on from Beijing and Tianjin and as of 2006 operates more lines than any other subway system in China (excluding Hong Kong).

One of the world's newest, most rapidly expanding subway systems, the Shanghai Metro operates five lines, and has four more lines under construction – including extensions to the lines currently in operation. The Shanghai Metro is a metro system that serves the city of Shanghai by transporting over 1.3 million passengers each day.

According to long-term plans the city wants to build 11 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.

Opened Lines

Line 1 runs from Xin Zhuang (from south) via Shanghai South Railway Station, People Square , Shanghai Railway Station to Fu Jin Road(from north). The whole length is 32.358 km. And it has 25 stations. The symbol color is red.

Line 2 runs from Song Hong Road (from west) via Zhong Shan Park, Shi Ji Avenue, to Zhang Jiang High-tech (from east).It is 25.2 km., holding 17 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 33.6 km (including the overlap with Line 3).It runs from Tang Qiao Via Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Zhong Shan Park, Shanghai Railway Station to Nan Pu Bridge ,totally 26 stops. The symbol color for 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 11stops,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 Sanling Area Topic Park. It holds about 33.1km, totally 29 stops. It runs from Ji Yang Road to Gang Cheng Road.

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 23.3 km. And it has 21 stations during the first stage currently.

Line 9 Its first construction is from Song Jiang Newly District to Gui Lin Road. The whole way is about 29.14 km. And it owns 12 stations. In the future, the second construction will get through Gui Lin Road to Yang Gao Zhong Road. It will be anticipated to get through in 2009.

Under construction Lines

Line 7 started to construct in Dec 24 2005, and planned to get through before the end of 2009.It runs from Bao Shan Wai Huan Road, via Pu Tuo, Jing An, Xu Hui, to International Exposition Centre in Pu Dong. The whole length is about 35 km. It holds 28 stations totally. Line 10 was arranged to get through from Xu Jin to Newly Jiang Wan District during the first term construction, then it will extent to Waigaoqiao Bao Shui Area in the second term construction. It runs from Newly Jiang Wan District to Hang Hua Newly District. It is about 28.8 km long. It is planned to be get through in 2009. Line 11 started to construct in March 1 2007. And 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 is about 60 km. The second term construction is from Jiang Su Road to San Lin. It runs from San Lin to North Jia Ding. It is going to complete in 2010. Line 12 is a direct line passig through southwest to northeast, and it traverses Shanghai center district, by way of Min Hang, Xu Hui, Zha Bei, Pu Dong and so on, together 8 districts. It runs from Qi Xin Road to Shang Chuan Road. It is going to get through in 2011. Line 13 is also a direct line getting through northwest to southeast, and it comes across center district in Shanghai via Jia Ding, Pu Tuo, Jin An, Lu Wan and Pu Dong Newly District. And the line runs from Feng Zhuang Road to West Hua Xia Road. It is planned to get through in 2011.

Future program

In the future program, Line 14,15,16,17 and 18 are intended to be constructed during 2010-2020. But now the detailed stations have not been confirmed yet.

Fare

Normally, the metro fare in Shanghai is 3 yuan, 4 yuan, 5 yuan, 6 yuan different depend on the lenth of your ride.

Buying a Metro Ticket

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 change and the ticket.

Interchange:

In Shanghai subway system, interchange means that passengers can change different Lines at some fixed stations through 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).

Physical Interchange Stations

* Xinzhuang is an interchange between Line 1 and Line 5.

* Shanghai South Railway Station is an interchange between Line 1 and Line 3.

* Shanghai Indoor Stadium is an interchange between Line 1 and Line 4.

* People's Square is an interchange between Line 1, Line 2 and Line 8.

* Shanghai Railway Station is an interchange between Line 3 and Line 4 .

* Zhongshan Park is an interchange between Line 2, Line 3 and Line 4.

* Shiji Avenue is an interchange between Line 2, Line 4 and Line 6.

* Baoshan Road, Zhongtan Road, Zhenping Road, Caoyang Road, Jinshajiang Road, Yan'an Road (West), and Hongqiao Road are interchanges between Line 3 and Line 4. This is where Line 3 and Line 4 overlap together one one route between Baoshan Road and Hongqiao Road.

* Lancun Road is an interchange between Line 4 and Line 6. To the north, Line 4 and Line 6 both stop at Pudian Road, but these two stations are not located together and interchanging is not possible.

* Xizang Road (South) is an interchange between Line 4 and Line 8.