The Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region Intercity Railway System is a regional high-speed rail and commuter rail network being gradually constructed in the Pearl River Delta (Yuegang'ao Greater Bay Area), People's Republic of China. The project's goal is to have every major urban center in the Yuegang'ao Greater Bay Area to be within one-hour travel by rail to Guangzhou.[1] On March 16, 2005, the State Council examined and approved plans for a regional high-speed commuter rail network for the Jingjinji, Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta. According to the plan, by 2020, PRD MAIR network will have a total route mileage of about 600 kilometres (370 mi).[2][3] In September 2009, the plan was expanded to 1,478 km (918 mi) of routes split up into 23 lines. In the long term vision network length will reach 1,890 km (1,170 mi) by 2030. By then the network will provide basic coverage to the Pearl River Delta region.
Operational lines
The system currently has 3 lines.
Guangzhu ICR
The Guangzhou–Zhuhai Intercity Railway or Guangzhu Intercity Railway is a 116 km dedicated, grade-separated passenger railway linking New Guangzhou Station in Panyu, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai Airport in Zhuhai, via Shunde, Zhongshan and Jiangmen. Operation began in 2011.
Guanhui ICR
The Guanhui Intercity Railway or Guanhui Urban Railway is a 14 station, 100 km long, regional rapid railway line that connects Dongguan to Huizhou.[4] The line was originally planned to use subway type cars with Siemens technology.[5] However it was plans changed partway through construction to use 8 car CRH6 EMUs capable of running up to 200 km/h (120 mph).[6] The line started construction in 2009[7] and was expected to open in late 2013.[6] Construction was completed in June 2013 and test runs began in 2014, but the first segment of the line, from Xiaojinkou-Changping East did not open until 30 March 2016.[8]
Guangfozhao ICR
The Guangfozhao Intercity Railway or Fozhao Urban Railway is an 11 station long regional rapid railway line. It connects Guangzhou to Zhaoqing, via Foshan.[9] Operation began on 30 March 2016.
Lines under construction
Guangfo Circular ICR
Ring service around Guangzhou, mostly making use of trackage from other Metropolitan Region Intercity Railway Lines and existing freight railways. A new section under construction, known as the Guangfo Link, is a 35 km long railway line that connects Guangzhou South Railway Station to Foshan West Railway Station. It has a top speed of 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph) and will use 6 car CRH6 EMUs capable of running up to 2.5 minute frequencies.[10] It is expected to start construction in late 2012 and completed in 2016 or 2017.[11][12]
Suiguanshen ICR
The Guangzhou–Dongguan–Shenzhen Intercity Railway, also known as the Suiguanshen Intercity Railway, is an 87-kilometre (54 mi)[13] regional rapid railway line that runs roughly along the east bank of the Pearl River connecting the major cities of Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shenzhen. It will use CRH6 EMUs[14] with a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph).[15] It is expected to be operational in 2019.[16]
Guangqing ICR
The Guangqing Intercity Railway is a high-speed railway connecting Guangzhou with Qingyuan, a branch line will connect to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
