Since subway line 1 started operations on Sep 26, 2013, the line had transported more than 2 million passengers by Feb 18, 2014.  Many metro-fans like to take the subway, especially during rush hour because of its convenience and speed. Yesterday, a reporter learned from Harbin’s Metro Group that subway line 1 had added an extra train during rush hour so that the shortest running interval was cut down to five minutes 15 seconds. The opening and closing times of the line remain from 6 am to 9 pm.

Metro line 1 has always run on time since the beginning of its operations. It is much faster than ground traffic and gives an efficient service to office staff. Before the extra train came into use, line 1 had 10 trains in operation and the shortest running interval was seven minutes 41 seconds. Although it meets the demand of average daily trips of over 200,000 passengers, the carriages were always crowded in rush hours in many stations, such as at First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Station, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Station, Railway Bureau Station, and Heilongjiang University Station.

The metro operation in Harbin, China’s Ice City, not only offers convenience but also comfort. The Metro Group adds the extra train between 7:30 am and 9am during the busy morning rush hour, and from 5pm to 7pm in the crowded evenings to provide better riding conditions for the passengers. Metro line 1 has had a total of 17 trains since the end of December 2013. However, trains need maintenance, so there are at most 15 trains in operation at any one time. The reporter learned from Harbin Metro Group that the shortest running interval can be under five minutes if there are 15 trains in operation.