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. 

Beijing Subway Line 6 heads further east

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 6. Line 6 opened two years ago providing relief for the overcrowded Line 1. In December 2014 it was extended eastwards to a new terminal station at Lucheng. 


 


Two stations did not open with the rest of the line, and will open later (Tongyunmen and Beiyunhe East). The open stations are:

  • Wuzixueyuan Lu
  • Tongzhou Beiguan
  • Beiyunhe West
  • Haojiafu
  • Dongxiayuan
  • Lucheng

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 Wuzixueyuan Lu to Lucheng will cost 4 RMB.

Beijing’s brand new Line 7

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 7. Line 7 is a brand new east-west line, starting at Beijing West Railway Station and heading east through Fengtai, Xicheng, Dongcheng and Chaoyang districts.



It includes interchanges with Line 9 at Beijing West Railway Station, Line 4 at Caishikou and Line 5 at Ciqikou. Unfortunately a planned station at Shuangjing will not currently open, since the Line 10 station there was not planned as an interchange station. The full list of stations currently open is:

  • Beijing West Railway Station (Line 9)
  • Wanzi
  • Daguanying
  • Guang’anmennei
  • Caishikou (Line 4)
  • Hufangqiao
  • Zhushikou
  • Qiaowan
  • Ciqikou (Line 5)
  • Guangqumennei
  • Guangqumenwai
  • Jiulongshan
  • Dajiaoting
  • Baiziwan
  • Huagong
  • Nanlouzizhuang
  • Happy Valley Scenic Area
  • Shuanghe
  • Jiaohuachang

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 Beijing West Railway Station to Jiaohuachang will cost 6 RMB.

Shanghai Metro Line 16 now connects to Longyang Road

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Shanghai Metro Line 16. Line 16 opened last year with a section of track from Luoshan Road to Dishui Lake. The line wasn’t that well connected to the rest of the network, with the only interchange station to Line 11 at Luoshan Road. It’s now much better connected, thanks to the new 2-station extension:


In particular the station at Longyang Road provides easy interchanges with Line 2, 7 and the Maglev to Pudong Airport. Later in 2015, Line 11 will also be extended from Longyang Road to the Shanghai Disney Resort, so Line 16 will be a useful conduit for visitors heading from the airport to the Disney Park.

Shanghai Metro Line 13 extended

This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Shanghai Metro Line 13. Line 13 has gone through a number of iterations over the last few years. If you were in Shanghai during the 2010 World Expo you may recall a small section of Line 13 was open to ferry people into the Expo site. That section subsequently closed, and a new section of Line 13 in western Shanghai opened in 2012, from Jinshajiang Road to Jinyun Road. This year, Line 13 has been extended three stations eastwards, with two new interchange stations:


Later in 2015, Line 13 will be extended eastwards and southwards:

  • Jiangning Road
  • Hanzhong Road (interchange with Line 1 and 12)
  • Shanhaiguan Road
  • West Nanjing Road (interchange with Line 2 and 12)
  • Middle Huaihai Road
  • Xintiandi (interchange with Line 10)
  • Madang Road (interchange with Line 9)
  • Lupu Bridge
  • Shibo Avenue
  • Changqing Road (interchange with Line 7)

Year-end metro openings for Shanghai and Beijing

December 2014 should see several new lines and extensions opening in Shanghai and Beijing.

In Shanghai, Line 13 will be extended by three stops, with a new Line 11/13 interchange at Longde Road and a new Line 7/13 interchange at Changshou Road. Additionally Line 16 should be extended with a new Line 2/7/16/Maglev interchange at Longyang Road.

In Beijing, one major change is the switch from a flat 2RMB fare to distance-based pricing from 3RMB to 10RMB beginning December 28. There are also several new lines opening: a brand new east-west line, Line 7, plus extensions to Line 6, Line 14 and Line 15.

As you may know, ExploreMetro is run by just one person and I’m currently in the United States, preparing to get married on December 31st! So, for personal reasons, the Explore Shanghai and Explore Beijing apps will likely not be updated with all the new lines until early January. Thanks for your patience.

Update 1! Basic updates to the online maps and Android apps are now available. Some information like first/last train times will be updated in early January. iOS apps will also be updated in early January.

Update 2! Updates to our iOS apps are also now available!