On May 22, journalists from Guangzhou took a trial ride on the fully automated Guangzhou Metro Line 10. The section from Xilang (西塱) Station to Yangji East (杨箕东) Station on the line is expected to begin operations as early as the end of June, with an estimated travel time of approximately 27 minutes.
Zhongda South Gate Station: Opening postponed
The Xilang–Yangji East section of Line 10 will be the first to begin operations. The 17.2-kilometer route includes 12 stations, with the opening of Zhongda South Gate (中大南门) Station postponed, and five interchange stations: Xilang, which connects with Line 1 and Guangfo Line; Dongxiaonan (东晓南) with Line 2; Wuyangcun (五羊邨) with Line 5; Donghu (东湖) with Line 6; and Wufeng (五凤) with Line 11.
Donghu Station
Xilang Station
Transfer outside Wuyangcun Station takes six minutes
During the early days of Line 10's operation, when transferring between Line 10 and Line 5 at Wuyangcun Station, a temporary off-station transfer method, similar to that at Pazhou (琶洲) Station, will be adopted.
Specifically, passengers who exit Wuyangcun Station through blue dedicated transfer turnstiles and enter the same turnstiles for the other line within 30 minutes can enjoy in-station transfers without incurring additional travel costs. According to on-site measurements by journalists, the distance from the two exits of Line 10 at Wuyangcun Station to Line 5 takes about six minutes.
Wuyangcun Station of Line 10 is located in a bustling downtown area with heavy traffic. Considering the road traffic and construction safety, the transfer passage is constructed using the open-cut method. During the construction period, multiple traffic diversions are necessary, leading to a relatively long construction timeline.
Operating at the highest level of full automation
After its opening, Line 10 will begin operation for passengers using the top-tier Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) fully automatic driving technology. This will be the first time that a Guangzhou Metro line starts operations directly at the GoA4 level.
The fully automated (GoA4) system supports both automatic and manual sleep/wake modes, allowing trains to automatically enter and exit depots and depart on schedule. For precise operational control, it manages various scenarios such as automatic station stopping, door opening and closing, and interval running. Regarding safety, maintenance, and emergency response, the system is equipped with intelligent operation and maintenance features that monitor and diagnose the status of key train systems in real time. It also incorporates multiple safety mechanisms, including door-to-platform alignment isolation, train creeping mode, remote reset, and remote control, to ensure safe and reliable train operations.
Continuous service with high-capacity, energy-efficient trains
Line 10 will operate continuously between Xilang and Yangji East, with no separate long or short route services. Trains will consist of six-car Type B sets, designed for a maximum speed of 80 km/h and a passenger capacity of over 2,000.
The trains feature large dynamic route maps, end screens, acrylic light strips, ring-shaped lighting, and other modern design elements. They are equipped with an intelligent operation and maintenance system, enabling smart lifecycle management. A permanent magnet traction system and integrated energy-saving control technologies help reduce overall energy consumption by over 15%. Additionally, a lightweight, high-frequency auxiliary inverter system reduces the train's weight by more than 600 kilograms, further lowering operating energy use.
Note: The station names listed above are provisional. Please refer to the official platform for the finalized names.
Related news: Guangzhou Metro Line 10 set to open in 2025
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Bai Xinyi (intern), Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
