Shanghai has an extensive public transport system, largely based on buses, trolley buses, taxis, 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.
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The Shanghai Metro rapid-transit system and elevated light rail has twelve lines (numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11 and 13) at present and extends to every core urban district as well as neighbouring suburban districts such as Songjiang and Minhang. According to the development schedule of the municipal government, by the year 2012, another two lines (numbers 12 and 21) will be built. It is one of the fastest-growing systems in the world - the first line opened in just 1995.[1].
The Hongqiao Transportation Hub is scheduled to begin full operation in the coming years, providing the city with a comprehensive and efficient transportation network of high speed railway, airway, metro and inner city busses. In regards to industry, this progression, along with the city’s strengthened metro network, will increase the popularity of properties in some areas while relieving fierce competition in certain popular zones.[2]
Trams in Shanghai originally closed in 1963, but returned in 2010 as Zhangjiang Tram.
Shanghai has one of 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. [3] Bus fares are usually ¥1, ¥1.5 or ¥2, sometimes higher, while Metro fares run from ¥3 to ¥9 depending on distance.
Some of the lines numbered under 30 are operated by trolleybuses. All trolleybuses are now air-conditioned.
Taxi fare is regulated by Shanghai Government at rate ¥2.40/km or ¥3.10/km after 23:00. (¥13.00 for the first 3 km, ¥16.00 after 23:00).
The Shanghai Maglev Train, first commercial Maglev railway in the world, was constructed by Transrapid of Germany in cooperation with the Shanghai municipality and the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co (SMT). The route runs from Shanghai's Longyang Road subway station in Pudong to Pudong International Airport. Commercial operation started in 2003. The 30 km trip takes 7 minutes and 21 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 431 km/h (267.8 mph). Normal operating speeds usually reach 431km/h, but during a test run, the Maglev has been shown to reach a top speed of 501km/h.
Two railways intersect in Shanghai: Jinghu Railway (Beijing–Shanghai) Railway 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 Z-series trains is fairly convenient. A maglev train route to Hangzhou (Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train) might begin construction in 2010. A high-speed railroad to Beijing is also in the works.
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