METRO Line 4 that connects Longhua New Area, which is outside the former special economic zone (SEZ), and Futian District has been known among Shenzhen residents as the most crowded Metro line since it was extended to Qinghu in Longhua New Area in June 2011. Many Shenzheners work in Futian and live in Longhua, where home prices are relatively low compared to Futian and other districts inside the former SEZ.

    Figures from Hong Kong MTR Shenzhen Company, the operator of the Metro line, show that Line 4 handles more than 120,000 people during the morning rush hours from 7:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. every day. Although the 23 trains keep service intervals to only 2.5 minutes during morning rush hours, riders are still packed like sardines in each train heading to Futian District. (SD News)