Zhengzhou Metro

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Zhengzhou Metro is a rapid transit system serving Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province, China. It is operated by Zhengzhou Metro Group Co. Ltd. The network is growing, and by 2024 it has 13 lines, about 450 kilometers of track, and around 217 stations. The system first opened on December 28, 2013, making it the first metro in Henan province and the 18th in mainland China.

Quick facts
- Lines: 13
- Total length: about 450 km
- Stations: around 217
- Daily ridership: about 1.2 million (average in 2021)
- Opening: first section opened December 28, 2013
- Operator: Zhengzhou Metro Group Co. Ltd
- Website: www.zzmetro.com

How it works
- Fares are distance-based, ranging from 2 to 9 yuan.
- Discounts: elderly people (60+) travel free during non-peak hours and public holidays; children under 130 cm ride free with an adult; full-time students pay half.
- Tickets: single-journey tickets can be bought at machines; tap in at the entry gates and insert at the exit to reclaim the fare.
- Mobile tickets: since 2016 you can buy tickets via WeChat or Alipay and pick them up at stations; the Cloud Gate service lets you enter/exit with a smartphone barcode on some lines.
- Lü Cheng Tong: a rechargeable card usable on the metro and buses with about a 5% discount versus single tickets.

Lines and features (highlights)
- Line 1 (red): west–east route, opened in 2013; extended in 2017; connects major universities and transportation hubs.
- Line 2 (yellow): north–south route, opened in 2016; extended in 2019; interchanges with Line 1.
- Line 3 (orange) and Line 4 (light blue): opened 2020.
- Line 5 (green) – the city’s loop line: 40 km with 32 stations; began service in 2019; first to use Type A trains.
- Line 6 (purple): opened 2022.
- Line 7 and Line 8: both opened in 2024.
- Line 10 (brown): opened 2023; future extension to Zhengzhou Airport planned.
- Line 12 (blue): opened 2023.
- Line 14 (light purple): opened 2019; six stations (four currently in operation).
- Zhengxu line (dark blue): opened 2023.
- Chengjiao line: suburban line to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, opened in 2017; trains run through with Line 2.

History in brief
- Planning began as early as the 1970s, but the modern Zhengzhou Metro plan started around 2000.
- Phase 1: Lines 1 and 2 approved in 2009; Line 1 opened in 2013, Line 2 in 2016.
- 2017: Chengjiao line opened, providing airport access via through service with Line 2.
- 2019–2023: Several new lines opened (Line 5 in 2019; Lines 3, 4 in 2020; Lines 6 in 2022; Lines 7–8 in 2024; Line 10 in 2023; Line 12 in 2023; Line 14 in 2019; Zhengxu line in 2023).
- 2021 floods caused significant disruption, with temporary closures. Most lines were back in service by late 2022 and 2023.

Zhengzhou Metro connects the city with the airport and key districts, helping residents and visitors move quickly around Zhengzhou.