Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region intercity railway

The Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region Intercity Railway System (Chinese: 珠江三角洲地區城際軌道交通, abbreviated as PRDIR) is a regional higher-speed rail and suburban rail network being gradually constructed in the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area), People's Republic of China. The project's goal is to have every major urban center in the Greater Bay Area to be within one-hour travel by rail to Guangzhou. On March 16, 2005, the State Council 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, the network will have a total route mileage of about 600 kilometres (370 mi). 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. The Suishen ICR, Guanhui ICR and Guangfozhao ICR accept Alipay, avoiding the need to purchase tickets in advance.

Operational lines

The system currently has seven 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.

Suishen ICR

The Guangzhou–Shenzhen Intercity Railway, also known as the Suishen Intercity Railway (Chinese: 穗深城际铁路; pinyin: Suì-Shēn Chéngjì Tiělù) is a 97-kilometre (60 mi) 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 with a top speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). Operation began on 15 December 2019.

Zhuji ICR

The Zhuji Intercity Railway is a high-speed railway connecting Gongbei Subdistrict in Zhuhai with Zhuhai Jinwan Airport via Hengqin. Phase 1 started operation on 18 August 2020. Phase 2 from Zhuhai Changlong to Zhuhai Airport opened in 3 March 2024.

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. The line was originally planned to use subway type cars with Siemens technology. However it was plans changed partway through construction to use 8 car CRH6 EMUs capable of running up to 200 km/h (120 mph). The line started construction in 2009 and was expected to open in late 2013. 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. On 23 January 2024, operation of Guanghui ICR has transferred from CR Guangzhou to Guangdong Intercity company.

Guangzhao ICR

The Guangzhao Intercity Railway or Fozhao Urban Railway is an 11 station long regional rapid railway line. It connects Guangzhou to Zhaoqing, via Foshan. Operation began on 30 March 2016. On 23 January 2024, operation of Guangzhao ICR has transferred from CR Guangzhou to Guangdong Intercity company.

Guangqing ICR

Guangzhou East Ring intercity railway

Foguan ICR

Foshan–Dongguan Intercity Railway, also called the Foguan Intercity Railway, is a high-speed railway within Guangdong province, China between the cities of Foshan, via Guangzhou, to Dongguan. It will connect Panyu District, Guangzhou at the major Guangzhou South interchange, tunnelling under the Pearl River through Machong and Hongmei to Dongguan West providing connections via the Dongguan Rail Transit, the Guangzhou–Shenzhen intercity railway or the Dongguan–Huizhou intercity railway. The length of this railway is 37 km (23 mi).

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. It is expected to start construction in late 2012 and completed in 2016 or 2017.

Guangqing ICR

The Guangqing Intercity Railway is a high-speed railway connecting Guangzhou with Qingyuan.

Approved Lines

In 2020, with the near completion of the initial batch of lines, the National Development and Reform Commission approved an additional 775 km of intercity railway projects. A number of them will start construction before 2022.

Shenzhen–Dayawan ICR

A planned underground regional railway connecting Shenzhen and Huiyang District in southern Huizhou from Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport to Shenzhen Pingshan railway station.

Shenhui ICR

A planned underground regional railway connecting Shenzhen and Huicheng District in northern Huizhou.

See also

• Shenzhen Metro
• Dongguan Rail Transit
• FMetro (Foshan)
• Guangzhou Metro
• MTR (Hong Kong)
• Macau Light Rail Transit
• List of suburban and commuter rail systems

Notes

References

1. Pearl River Delta
2. Guangzhou–Zhuhai intercity railway
3. Foshan–Dongguan intercity railway
4. Guangzhou–Foshan circular intercity railway
5. Guangzhou–Huizhou intercity railway
6. Guangzhou–Zhaoqing intercity railway
7. Guangzhou–Qingyuan intercity railway
8. Commuter rail
9. Guangdong Intercity
10. China Railway Guangzhou Group
11. Zhuhai–Zhuhai Airport intercity railway
12. Shenzhen–Dayawan intercity railway
13. Shenzhen–Huizhou intercity railway
14. List of high-speed railway lines in China
15. Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area
16. List of suburban and commuter rail systems
17. Line 11 (Shenzhen Metro)
18. Shanghai Suburban Railway
19. Jing-Jin-Ji
20. Bohai Economic Rim