Category Archives: cities

South Island Line opens in Hong Kong

For years the Southern District of Hong Kong has not had any connection to the rest of the territory by MTR. That all changes starting December 28, 2016 with the opening of the South Island Line.

The line is colored green on the map, and connects South Horizons and Lei Tung on the island of Ap Lei Chau, via Wong Chuk Hang and Ocean Park with Admiralty, where passengers can transfer to the Tsuen Wan Line or Island Line.

The entire line uses driverless operation, and should significantly cut travel times from the south of Hong Kong Island.

We’ve updated our online map, Android app and iOS app with the new line!

Kwun Tong Line extended in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong MTR added two new stations today with the opening of the Kwun Tong Line extension. The line now continues past the previous terminus at Yau Ma Tei to Ho Man Tin and Whampoa, providing access to Whampoa Garden.

screen-shot-2016-10-23-at-21-08-23

In the future, Ho Man Tin will be an interchange with the East-West corridor, a merger of the West Rail Line and Ma On Shan Line which will open by 2019.

The new stations are now available on our online Hong Kong MTR map and Android app, and an update for our iPhone app will be available shortly.

MRT Purple Line opens in Bangkok

Bangkok’s newest subway line, the MRT Purple Line opened to the public on Saturday August 6. The new line brings much-needed connectivity to the north of the city, extending 23km from Tao Poon, across the Chao Phraya river at the Phra Nangkhao Bridge, and terminating at Khlong Bang Phai.

Screen Shot 2016-08-07 at 16.08.17

Unfortunately there is not yet an interchange with the existing Blue Line, so at the moment travellers will need to take a free shuttle bus between Tao Poon and Bang Sue, the terminus of the Blue line. There are 15 buses in total, and shuttles will leave every 8 minutes, with the 1km journey taking between 7 and 12 minutes, depending on Bangkok’s notorious traffic.

Fares will cost between 14 to 42 baht.

We’ve updated our online Bangkok metro map with the new line, and updates for our Explore Bangkok iOS app and Explore Bangkok Android app will be available shortly.

 

ExploreMetro comes to Bangkok!

I am delighted to announce Explore Bangkok, the 9th app for ExploreMetro. I recently moved from Shanghai to my new home in Bangkok, and, much like when I arrived in Shanghai ten years ago, I struggled to find high-quality information about the BTS (Skytrain) and MRT (metro) system in Bangkok. Now there’s an map for that 😉

Scenery Samsung Galaxy S5 - 88 - 10-07-2016, 13-03

You can access the app:

The app includes information about:

The app includes a routeplanner, first/last train times, prices, street maps, a “nearby stations” view, and tips for each station. We’ll be working to add better and more accurate information over time, including prices for journeys including multiple services, Thai pronunciations, and more.

Please do download the app, and let me know what you’d like to see added next!

Previewing the Singapore MRT Downtown Line Stage 2

Update: Looking for an update to our iOS and Android app for the Downtown Line? Please read http://support.exploremetro.com/knowledgebase/articles/803751 for the latest information.

Stage 2 of Singapore’s newest MRT Line, the Downtown Line, will open on 27 December 2015. This weekend commuters had the chance to visit the new stations as part of an Open Day.

The new extension starts at the existing terminus at Bugis and heads North West, interchanging with the North East line at Little India, the North South line at Newton, the Circle Line at Botanic Gardens, and terminating at Bukit Panjang, from where it is a short walk to Bukit Panjang LRT station.

Here’s a map of the new stations:

Screenshot 2015-12-06 10.22.19

The full list of new stations is:

  • Bukit Panjang DT1/BP6
  • Cashew DT2
  • Hillview DT3
  • Beauty World DT5
  • King Albert Park DT6
  • Sixth Avenue DT7
  • Tan Kah Kee DT8
  • Botanic Gardens DT9/CC19
  • Stevens DT10
  • Newton DT11/NS21
  • Little India DT12/NE7
  • Rochor DT13

We’ll be providing updates for our online SIngapore MRT map, iPhone app and Android app in time for the opening of the line in late December!

Hong Kong Island Line extended to Kennedy Town

Under construction since 2009, the Hong Kong MTR West Island Line extension opened on December 28, 2014. The new 3km extension adds three new stations in Western District to the Island Line. From the previous terminal station at Sheung Wan, the new stations, from east to west are:


We’ve updated our online Hong Kong MTR app and Android app with the new stations, an update for our iOS app is currently being reviewed by Apple and will be available shortly. We’ll also provide a second update as soon as Sai Ying Pun station opens!

Beijing Subway Line 15 extended through the Olympic Park

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 15. Line 15 has been opened in sections, with the first section opening in December 2010, and the second section at the end of 2011. The new western extension continues from the old terminal station at Wangjing West, to six new stations from Guanzhuang to Qinghuadongluxikou. 



The full list of new stations is:

* Guanzhuang 关庄
* Anlilu 安立路
* Olympic Green 奥林匹克公园 (Line 8)
* Beishatan 北沙滩
* Liudaokou 六道口
* Qinghuadongluxikou 清华东路西口


There is a planned interchange station with Line 5 at Datunlu East, but construction work is not yet finished, so Line 15 trains will not yet stop there.


It’s also planned in future for Qinghuadonglu Xikou to become a new interchange station on Line 13.


The Beijing Subway has also replaced the old flat 2 RMB fare structure with a new distance-based fare structure, with prices varying between 3 RMB and 9 RMB. For example, a journey along the whole length of Line 15, from Fengbo to Qinghuadonglu Xikou will cost 7 RMB. 

A Line of Two Halves: Beijing Subway Line 14

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 14, which originally opened in May 2013. December 2014 saw a new extension, but curiously this is not connected to the existing part of Line 14! Eventually a central section will open to connect the two halves, but for now there are two separate sections: Zhangguozhuang – Xiju and the new section Jintailu – Shangezhuang.



The stations on the new section are:

  • Jintailu (Line 6)
  • Zaoying
  • Dongfeng Beiqiao
  • Jiangtai
  • Wangjing South
  • Futong
  • Wangjing (Line 15)
  • Donghuqu
  • Laiguangying
  • Shangezhuang

The Beijing Subway has also replaced the old flat 2 RMB fare structure with a new distance-based fare structure, with prices varying between 3 RMB and 9 RMB. For example, a journey from Jintailu to Shangezhuang will cost 5 RMB.