China’s new tramway opening

Dujiangyan (population 716 000), is a county-level city in the prefecture of Chengdu, Sichuan Province. It is 48km from Chengdu city. The city has been largely rebuilt since a May 2008 earthquake. 

 

On 15 May a 17.3km standard-gauge tramway was opened (termed Tourism Passenger Line) with services linking Bajiao Temple and Mount Qingcheng and Bajiao Temple and Zijingcheng. The latter line serves Dujiangyan railway station. 

 

There are 27 stops in total. Rolling stock is 22 five-section 100% low-floor 32m double-ended trams built under Alstom licence by CRRC Changke Railway Vehicle Company Ltd, painted in a panda-inspired livery (the city is known for its panda base). 

 

Alstom supplied bogies and electrical equipment. The tramway has been built under a PPP contract, but the partners involved have changed several times, leading to delays. It had been hoped to carry passengers in 2023. 

 

The tramway is operated by the joint venture of Shanghai Keolis and Chuanta Shenkai.