Nanjing life just got more convenient and stylish. Today, 1st July 2014, saw the opening of two long-awaited metro lines; number 10 and the airport line. Mixed with the excitement of improved transport is the frustration that everything comes at a price; a new pricing system to accommodate longer routes.
The price per ticket increases depending on distance travelled; while ¥2 will take you as far as 10km or the equivalent of approximately eight stops, the farthest you can travel is the ¥8 route which spans up to 58km, an example of this being the journey from Jiangxin Zhou to the airport. Beijingers can only shake their heads in dismay at such prices, a ride on their underground system is only ¥2 irrespective of distance or any other factors, making Nanjing’s transportation costs horrendous in comparison to the otherwise lower costs of life in the Southern capital.
Then again, a ride on Line 1 during rush hour or the odious trip to the airport with the ¥20 bus quickly justify the price, especially considering the new airport line only costs a fraction of the old, decrepit buses; ¥8 at the most to be exact; and is infinitely more convenient.
Then there is the question of the name; at the dawn of its existence the airport line finds itself in a little bit of an identity crisis with regards to its moniker. If you are wondering what the difference is between S1, Line 6, Airport Express and Nanjing – Gaochun Intercity line? No need to waste your time, they are all one and the same; the Gaochun extension from the airport scheduled for completion next year. For the purpose of orientation, S1 is the name to remember as the helpful signs to indicate “direction of airport” are in Chinese only; who needs English signage anyway, it’s not like the Olympics are happening here… oh, wait.
In a characteristically non-sensical move, a long distance walk and a couple of stairs need to be conquered if you are changing from metro line 1 to S1. As seems to be the case with all underground systems the world over the 5 minute walk feels more like a half-hour trek, and there were not even suitcases or screaming children involved on this occasion. One might do better to take a taxi instead to the new entrance to the underground leading right onto the S1 platform.
Yet, the long distance walk does not seem to put people off. On its first day of operation at 4pm the carriage was packed full of people; not only airport-bound travelers but also local commuters from the outer reaches of Jiangning district, for whom the new line brings with it a true improvement to their mobility.
What exactly makes the airport line “S1” will remain a mystery for now; personally the author thought it might be A1, but hey, let’s not get logical about things, please.
On the other hand, Line 10 despite appearances, has been named rather logically. As an extension of the former western arm of line 1 running past Yuantong and the Olympic Stadium, the name can be seen as a reference to its former incarnation.
Taking line 10 on a maiden voyage is another fun adventure in itself. The first two gates of the Lvbo Yuan metro station remain firmly shut, with piles of dirt and hordes of construction workers destroying any last hopes of entering. Only on the third try, exit 6, one if three exits running down Yuean Jie in a straight line in confusingly close proximity to each other, is open to travelers.
The new line is another step up in convenience for locals and travelers alike. While getting to places such as Laoshan or Jiangxin Zhou used to be a logistical nightmare, with the new metro line they are merely a few stops away. Traveling around Nanjing’s sights has never been this easy. However, in the meantime line 10, being not as crucial a connection as the airport line, remains very calm frequented only by a small number of Pukouites and island dwellers.
The Jiangxinzhou stop, while far from completion above ground, where an entire street is due to appear within the next six weeks, is representative of the attention to detail that characterizes the new lines in terms of design. The ceiling is made up of wave shapes and a maritime-themed aluminium mural with fishes are nods to the fact that Jiangxin Zhou is an island. Upon exiting the station one discovers the chance for a free foot massage, on nothing less than a collection of Nanjing’s famous Yuhua stones; the black, smooth rocks that are a popular memorandum for visitors to the city. According to the knowledgeable locals they are of inferior quality, yet it is such attention to detail that makes up the immense pleasure of traveling the new lines.
In a stroke of brilliance the maps of the surrounding areas at each station now include a five-minute ring, encircling the area one can reach within this amount of time. Furthermore, the new underground maps outlining the connections also contain telltale signs that it is not only line 3 that is set to open pre-Olympics; even line S8 servicing the northern part of the city, Liuhe district north of the Yangtze river has been included on the maps in the new metro carriages, suggesting completion in the nearer future.
While the new lines are currently in the teething period, with missing roads, closed off entries and dysfunctional escalators here and there, they are an impressive feat, especially considering construction commenced only 2.5 years ago. More importantly, they are a sorely needed addition to the transport system that may mean our lives as sardines be banished, if only for a little while.
