Metropolis Line
| Status | Operational |
|---|---|
| Owner | Rigel Corporation |
| Locale | Joban, Southern Joban |
| Termini | Lightstone Sung Tak |
| Stations | 7 |
| Initials | MPL |
| Type | Commuter Rail |
|---|---|
| Operator(s) | Rigel Railway |
| Depot(s) | Lightstone |
| Line Length | 17.4km (10.8mi) |
|---|---|
| Track gauge | 1,435mm |
| Electrification | 25 kV 50 Hz AC |
| Operating speed | 95km/h (Average) |
The Metropolis line is a rapid transit operated by Rigel Railway, a subsidiary of Rigel Corporation. It links between Lightstone and the Southern Island of Joban. It has a total of 7 stations including all phases
History
Planning
Constructing a railway to the Southern Island was proposed as early as 1995, however due to the relatively low amount of people in the Southern Island, the plan was rejected.
In March 2009, the Joban Government Railway Development Strategy report envisioned a Rapid Transit Services between the city and the Southern Island. The government invited Harmony Rail Transit and Rigel Corp to submit a proposal for the network Design, Constructions and Operations. Both Rigel Corp and HRT submitted a full proposal by October 2009. In May 2010, the Government adopted Rigel Corp's Proposal.
Constructions
In August 2011, constructions began from Lightstone to Metropolis Station. However it was later discovered that the curve radius is too small, and a new tunnel needs to be constructed. In April 2012, A new tunnel is constructed linking between Lightstone and Metropolis
New Metropolis
Due to the rapid city development, the existing Metropolis station is no longer at the Center of Metropolis.
Eventually in July 2015, A new Metropolis station is plotted, and a new tunnel is constructed linking to the new station.
Freight Services
To further relieve traffic congestion, in 2016 the Joban Government released a Railway Development Strategy report, which involves building a new Platform at Lightstone and Sung Tak respectively. The freight service will only run between Lightstone and Sung Tak, while using the old Metropolis tunnel to avoid congesting the main line as much as possible.
Over-budget and construction issues
In May 2023, Rigel Corporation has informed that due to soil and structural issue regarding Takeda and Sung Tak Station, the opening of Metropolis Line will be delayed and split into 2 phases, with the first phase being the first 5 station, and the remaining being left for second phase.
The target date for the opening of Phase 1 is announced to be Autumn 2023, and it has been opened on the 21st of Novemember 2023.
Phase 2 is opened on the 27th of September, 2024.
Stations
| Station Name | Station Name (English) | Connections | Status | Phases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 光石 | Lightstone | Rigel Line, Tohoku Shinkansen | Opened | Phase 1 |
| 都心 | Metropolis | Tohoku Shinkansen, Azure Line, Fuka-Metropolis APM | Opened | Phase 1 |
| 德雷頓 | Drayton | Fuka Lightrail | Opened | Phase 1 |
| 邊廈 | Frontier | Opened | Phase 1 | |
| 興安 | Hing On | Opened | Phase 1 | |
| 竹田 | Takeda | Opened | Phase 2 | |
| 崇德 | Sung Tak | Southern Tramways | Opened | Phase 2 |