MORE than 3 million residents in Longhua, Shenzhen’s most densely populated district, will have a new commuter choice as the city’s first tramline will be put on a test run starting March 30 and put into trial operation June 30.

    The first tram has arrived at the Hengkeng Tram Yard in Longhua and two others will arrive this week, according to the line operator. A total of 15 trams will be used for the service after the line opens June 30.

    According to national regulations on urban rail transit, the tramline needs at least a 90-day test run before being put on trial operation.

    The 11.72-kilometer project will include a main line of 8.59 kilometers running through 15 stations between Qinghu Station and Xinlan Station of Shenzhen Metro’s Longhua Line and a spur line, which will have five stations and run 3.13 kilometers along Huanguan Road South. The main line and the spur line will intersect at Dahe Station.

    The line will adopt a flat fare system, according to the operator, but the fare has yet to be set, waiting for a government decision on three alternatives — 2 yuan (US$0.29), 2.5 yuan and 3 yuan per head. A Southern Metropolis Daily report said yesterday that the government has chosen the 2-yuan plan, quoting an inside source.

    The tramline will have three routes — two from Qinghu Station on Metro Line 4 to Xinlan Station and Xiawei Station, and one from Xinlan Station to Xiawei Station. The tram will operate at an interval of 10 to 15 minutes.

    The trams will operate at a speed of 23 kilometers per hour, carrying a maximum of 350 passengers each. The tramline is estimated to handle about 32 million passengers a year.

    Longhua is also planning to construct three other tramlines totaling 51 kilometers.

    One will run from the Foxconn plant in Guanlan to Baishilong Station of Metro Line 4, covering 22.3 kilometers and 30 stations. The second line will extend 14.6 kilometers between Zhangge and Songyuanxia Park and have 19 stations. The 14.1-km third line is designed to have 19 stations from Dalang Fashion Innovative City to Banxuegang.

    (Han Ximin)