Trams in Dalian
Encyclopedia
Dalian
, along with Changchun
and Hong Kong
, represent the three Chinese cities that have had a continuously running tram system. All other Chinese cities with tram lines have since shut theirs down, and of those only Tianjin
and Shanghai
have reintroduced trams, but using modern rubber tire systems.
. On 25 September 1909, the South Manchuria Railway
opened the first tram line for testing in Dalian, which at that time was under Japanese occupation. This was the first example of public transportation in the city, making Dalian one of the earliest Chinese cities with public transport services. The original tram line ran from the Electrical Garden (present-day Eton Center) to Tai Pier (now known as Harbour Bridge) via Taisho Road (present-day Zhongshan and Renmin Roads), spanning 2.45 kilometers. 30 Type 11 tram cars served at that time; Body of Type 11 tram car has been manufactured by Preston works in the United States, its chassis has been manufactured by Montien Gibson Manufacturing in the United Kingdom, and its electrical parts has been manifacutured in Germany. That type tram car was built with wooden body and 2 motorman's seats, and its capacity is 72 people per car in normal and 145 in maximum. At that time the type 11 tram car was commonly called as American large wooden cages. Since then, new tram lines were constantly added and opened up and 2 tram yards were built next to Minzhu (democracy) Square and Jiefang (liberation) Square. Until 1945, a total of 11 tram routes, three premises, two repair workshop were build.
In 1945, the Soviet Union
Red Army
beat Japanese forces located in Manturia and occpied Dalian in the last scene of World War II
. On April 1, 1946, Soviet Union Red Army requisitioned Dalian Tram from Dalian Urban Transport Co., Ltd., which was a South Manchuria Railway's subsidiary taking the responsibility of transport business in Dalian area, and transformed Dalian transport service to Dalian City transport company. In 1970s, due to urban development it was necessary to begin to remove most of tram lines. At that time the 1st Tram line were abondaned and now the 15th bus line serves instead of the old tram line. At the end of 20th century, Dalian city leaves only three tram routes: route 201, 202 and 203. From October 15, 1999 to December 1, 2002, route 202 was reformed. Some of the vehicles of type DL8000 retired and others were sold to Changchun (now in operation at route 54 of Changchun Tram
). For the replacement of DL8000 cars, the Tram Factory of Dalian Public Transport Group built type DL6WA tram cars. From June 10, 2006 to December 30, 2007, route 201and 203 were reformed and merged as new route 201. Consequently many tram cars were replaced with type DL6WA cars, while 27 cars of type DL3000 built by Japanese in 1930s are still remained and serving on the merged route 201 after retrofitting.
Like other Chinese towns & cities, Dalian's tram system was also opened directly as an electric tram. It never ran horse or steam tram. Although only three routes were constructed, but they never closed and running proudly still now. Many changes of rolling stocks were occurred, and recently new modern low floor trams were introduced.
stored value smart card
issued in Dalian, the fare is discounted to 0.9 RMB. If you ride past both sections (i.e. the passenger does not get off at the Dalian Railway Station but continues to ride) on route 201, the fare in cash is 2 RMB, discounted to 1.3 RMB in case of payment with Mingzhu IC card. In the case of the cross-section riding above, the passenger needs to pay 1 RMB into the fare box in the car when embarking and a crew member collects another 1 RMB at the Dalian Railway Station. In case of the payment with Mingzhu IC card, the payment system is also somewhat different from other public transport route in Dalian, rather it is similar to the way in route 600s of Beijing: regardless of whether cross-section of the car off credit card required, otherwise the next line when taking the first deducting 1.3 Yuan (i.e. bus Card full fare) and then count this car fares. This line-vote system in Dalian, public transportation routes in the group be called unique.
Regarding route 202, in 2002, after the initial full-line transformation of that route was complete, a single fare was applied; the fare was 2 RMB. However, the system had been changed and now the fare is 1 RMB. There is no ticket sales in the tram cars, it is necessary to pay the fare in cash or with Mingzhu IC card on boarding; it is the same as the other public bus routes in Dalian.
Dalian's tram has one of the exceptional feature that all staffs are female, i.e. – driver, conductor, points man — even the depot manager! The trams had a clear box at the entrance to drop the 1 RMB or 2 RMB note into while the driver looked on. The trams used a mixture of bow collectors and trolley poles.
The termini are – Haizhiyun Park, Xinggong Jie, Xiaopingdao Qian, & the Dalian Railway Station
.
, and side of the road. That route started running low floor trams, which also runs in unreserved portion & route 201.
Interchange with metro
is possible at Dalian Railway Station.
201 Route Yun Park Sea origin (due to park is currently being modified, shortened to folk music originating Square), along the Lu Xun Road, Century Street, Changjiang Road to end-hing Kung Street, approaches 27 Square, 38 Square, democracy Square, Dalian Railway Station
, the North Post Bridge (Dalian Bus Terminal), 51 Square, and so on. In addition to sea-yun Park, a short track is located in the vicinity of the road side of the track to comply with the rest of history, are located in the middle of the road. DL3000-type vehicles, the tram for 27 Taiwan, in the 20th century, 30 years of Japanese occupation during the production, in 2007 modified (and thus some people model themselves after the word "reform" of the alphabet the first letter of the word "G", actually does not exist in models this letter), and 15 sets of Dalian Tram Bus Group plant in 2007 – 2008 production of "Dalian" and brand DL6WA mixed-type articulated tram.
202 Route Xiaoping Island, before the origin along the Huangpu, Zhongshan Road, Xi'an Road to end-hing Kung Street, channels Qixianling, high-tech parks, Heishijiao coastal, compounds which, Xinghai Square, Peace Square, the liberation Square, Xi'an Road Commercial Circle, etc. land. Vehicles produced 40 batches of "Dalian" and card-type articulated tram DL6WA.
202 Road extension point in the estuary, along the Port Arthur South, Guo waterways, MA North line, end zone at Port Arthur. Elevated across the board, using two dynamic two drag rail transportation vehicles, is actually a completely unrelated with the 202 tram independent light rail line, due to rail traffic engineering to avoid the cumbersome approval process and to the existing tram relatively simple procedure Line extension project in the name, it had this name.
2009 May 8 at about 9 am, 202 tram extension project groundbreaking ceremony at the Lushunkou District held at the East Jiguanshan.
, Exhibition Center, Xinghai Park and the famous bathing area.
Like other Asian trams of Kolkata
, Hong Kong
and Sapporo, Dalian's tram has been / will be also an icon of the city in the past, present and future, and taking the important role in public transport service along with metro
.
Dalian
Dalian is a major city and seaport in the south of Liaoning province, Northeast China. It faces Shandong to the south, the Yellow Sea to the east and the Bohai Sea to the west and south. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, Dalian is the southernmost city of Northeast China and China's...
, along with Changchun
Changchun
Changchun is the capital and largest city of Jilin province, located in the northeast of the People's Republic of China, in the center of the Songliao Plain. It is administered as a sub-provincial city with a population of 7,677,089 at the 2010 census under its jurisdiction, including counties and...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, represent the three Chinese cities that have had a continuously running tram system. All other Chinese cities with tram lines have since shut theirs down, and of those only Tianjin
Tianjin
' is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People's Republic of China. It is governed as a direct-controlled municipality, one of four such designations, and is, thus, under direct administration of the central government...
and Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
have reintroduced trams, but using modern rubber tire systems.
History
Trams in Dalian can trace long history, stretching as far back as the late Qing DynastyQing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. On 25 September 1909, the South Manchuria Railway
South Manchuria Railway
The , and operated within China in the Japanese-controlled South Manchuria Railway Zone. The railway itself ran from Lüshun Port at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula to Harbin, where it connected to the Chinese Eastern Railway.-History:...
opened the first tram line for testing in Dalian, which at that time was under Japanese occupation. This was the first example of public transportation in the city, making Dalian one of the earliest Chinese cities with public transport services. The original tram line ran from the Electrical Garden (present-day Eton Center) to Tai Pier (now known as Harbour Bridge) via Taisho Road (present-day Zhongshan and Renmin Roads), spanning 2.45 kilometers. 30 Type 11 tram cars served at that time; Body of Type 11 tram car has been manufactured by Preston works in the United States, its chassis has been manufactured by Montien Gibson Manufacturing in the United Kingdom, and its electrical parts has been manifacutured in Germany. That type tram car was built with wooden body and 2 motorman's seats, and its capacity is 72 people per car in normal and 145 in maximum. At that time the type 11 tram car was commonly called as American large wooden cages. Since then, new tram lines were constantly added and opened up and 2 tram yards were built next to Minzhu (democracy) Square and Jiefang (liberation) Square. Until 1945, a total of 11 tram routes, three premises, two repair workshop were build.
In 1945, the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
beat Japanese forces located in Manturia and occpied Dalian in the last scene of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On April 1, 1946, Soviet Union Red Army requisitioned Dalian Tram from Dalian Urban Transport Co., Ltd., which was a South Manchuria Railway's subsidiary taking the responsibility of transport business in Dalian area, and transformed Dalian transport service to Dalian City transport company. In 1970s, due to urban development it was necessary to begin to remove most of tram lines. At that time the 1st Tram line were abondaned and now the 15th bus line serves instead of the old tram line. At the end of 20th century, Dalian city leaves only three tram routes: route 201, 202 and 203. From October 15, 1999 to December 1, 2002, route 202 was reformed. Some of the vehicles of type DL8000 retired and others were sold to Changchun (now in operation at route 54 of Changchun Tram
Changchun Tram
The Changchun Tram is an historic tram line in Changchun, Jilin, China. It was first opened November 11, 1941, and was constructed by the Manchukuo government. On August 15, 1945 the tram had 7 lines and 73 trains. At its peak in 1960, the tram had 6 lines and 88 trains covering almost...
). For the replacement of DL8000 cars, the Tram Factory of Dalian Public Transport Group built type DL6WA tram cars. From June 10, 2006 to December 30, 2007, route 201and 203 were reformed and merged as new route 201. Consequently many tram cars were replaced with type DL6WA cars, while 27 cars of type DL3000 built by Japanese in 1930s are still remained and serving on the merged route 201 after retrofitting.
Like other Chinese towns & cities, Dalian's tram system was also opened directly as an electric tram. It never ran horse or steam tram. Although only three routes were constructed, but they never closed and running proudly still now. Many changes of rolling stocks were occurred, and recently new modern low floor trams were introduced.
Past in a nutshell
- 1909 – Electric tram started operating.
- 1945 – The tramway network was reached to its maximum length, up to 11 routes.
- 1946 – Bad patch started. 8 routes were closed step by step till 1979.
- 2002 – Some stocks were replaced by low floor trams.
- 2006 – Route 201 & 203 was merged to form new route 201, partly replaced by low floor stocks.
Tram routes
There are 2 tram routes. Unlike other Asian cities, tram routes of Dalian are prefixed by 20. Trams cruise the downtown and southwestern areas in the city.- 201 – Haizhiyun Park – Xionggong Jie (via Dalian Rail Station, merging former route 201 & 203)
- 202 – Xinggong Jie – Xiaopingdao Qian
Practical Info
- Total length – 23.4 km (10.8 km on route 201, 12.6 km on route 202).
- Opened — September 1909.
- Fare – RMB 1 or 2 in cash.
Tickets
The billing method on route 201 is unique. The route is divided into two sections at the Dalian Railway Station; one section is between Haizhiyun Park and Dalian Railway Station, and other one is from Dalian Railway Station to Xinggong Street. The fare in cash is 1 RMB if you use only one section (including riding on/off at Dalian Railway Station). If you use the Mingzhu IC card, which is a rechargeable contactlessContactless smart card
A contactless smart card is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits that can process and store data, and communicate with a terminal via radio waves. There are two broad categories of contactless smart cards. Memory cards contain non-volatile memory storage components, and perhaps...
stored value smart card
Smart card
A smart card, chip card, or integrated circuit card , is any pocket-sized card with embedded integrated circuits. A smart card or microprocessor cards contain volatile memory and microprocessor components. The card is made of plastic, generally polyvinyl chloride, but sometimes acrylonitrile...
issued in Dalian, the fare is discounted to 0.9 RMB. If you ride past both sections (i.e. the passenger does not get off at the Dalian Railway Station but continues to ride) on route 201, the fare in cash is 2 RMB, discounted to 1.3 RMB in case of payment with Mingzhu IC card. In the case of the cross-section riding above, the passenger needs to pay 1 RMB into the fare box in the car when embarking and a crew member collects another 1 RMB at the Dalian Railway Station. In case of the payment with Mingzhu IC card, the payment system is also somewhat different from other public transport route in Dalian, rather it is similar to the way in route 600s of Beijing: regardless of whether cross-section of the car off credit card required, otherwise the next line when taking the first deducting 1.3 Yuan (i.e. bus Card full fare) and then count this car fares. This line-vote system in Dalian, public transportation routes in the group be called unique.
Regarding route 202, in 2002, after the initial full-line transformation of that route was complete, a single fare was applied; the fare was 2 RMB. However, the system had been changed and now the fare is 1 RMB. There is no ticket sales in the tram cars, it is necessary to pay the fare in cash or with Mingzhu IC card on boarding; it is the same as the other public bus routes in Dalian.
Fleet
There were a variety of rolling stocks, only two are now remain-- DL 3000 – The oldest type is Witt Type. It has single coach, wooden body & bow collector. Due to their age, they has limited running on streets. It still creates nostalgic old day's charm. It runs on route 201.
- The second oldest was Modern Type. It also had single coach & bow collector, but it had metal body and large front window. It was introduced as a modernization project of Dalian's tram. This type of stock is now withdrawn.
- The third oldest was Pointed Type. It also had single coach, bow collector & metal body, but the front window was not so large like modern type. Its front side had slightly slanted, so it was called pointed type. This type of stock is now also withdrawn.
- DL6WA — The latest type is Low Floor Type. It was introduced when Dalian's subway is planned to open. It is completely newly designed, with three coaches, pantograph, air-conditioned steel body with vestibule and stylish front glass & looking glass. It mainly runs on reserved trackReserved trackIn tram transport terminology reserved track is track on ground exclusively for trams. Unlike track on streets and roads, reserved track does not need to take into account the transit of other wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or horses...
but also run on street track. It had the largest number of fleet today & runs on both routes.
Dalian's tram has one of the exceptional feature that all staffs are female, i.e. – driver, conductor, points man — even the depot manager! The trams had a clear box at the entrance to drop the 1 RMB or 2 RMB note into while the driver looked on. The trams used a mixture of bow collectors and trolley poles.
Depots & termini
There are two depots, one of which also maintains trolleybuses.The termini are – Haizhiyun Park, Xinggong Jie, Xiaopingdao Qian, & the Dalian Railway Station
Dalian Railway Station
Dalian Railway Station is a railway station of Hada Railway, Changda Railway and Hada Passenger Railway. The station located in the town of Dalian, Liaoning, China.-See also:*Russian Dalian*Chinese Eastern Railway*South Manchuria Railway...
.
Alignment & Interchanges
Most tram routes are on unreserved tracks and middle of the roads. Track beds on unreserved portion laid on concrete. At some crossings, trolleybus lines cross tram lines. Recently, route 202 has re-laid partly on reserved trackReserved track
In tram transport terminology reserved track is track on ground exclusively for trams. Unlike track on streets and roads, reserved track does not need to take into account the transit of other wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or horses...
, and side of the road. That route started running low floor trams, which also runs in unreserved portion & route 201.
Interchange with metro
Dalian Metro
At present, Dalian has no operating subway system, but the Dalian Metro, which is a rapid transit system in the city of Dalian, China. The system opened on 1 May 2003The system currently consists of one full line & one branch line:...
is possible at Dalian Railway Station.
201 Route Yun Park Sea origin (due to park is currently being modified, shortened to folk music originating Square), along the Lu Xun Road, Century Street, Changjiang Road to end-hing Kung Street, approaches 27 Square, 38 Square, democracy Square, Dalian Railway Station
Dalian Railway Station
Dalian Railway Station is a railway station of Hada Railway, Changda Railway and Hada Passenger Railway. The station located in the town of Dalian, Liaoning, China.-See also:*Russian Dalian*Chinese Eastern Railway*South Manchuria Railway...
, the North Post Bridge (Dalian Bus Terminal), 51 Square, and so on. In addition to sea-yun Park, a short track is located in the vicinity of the road side of the track to comply with the rest of history, are located in the middle of the road. DL3000-type vehicles, the tram for 27 Taiwan, in the 20th century, 30 years of Japanese occupation during the production, in 2007 modified (and thus some people model themselves after the word "reform" of the alphabet the first letter of the word "G", actually does not exist in models this letter), and 15 sets of Dalian Tram Bus Group plant in 2007 – 2008 production of "Dalian" and brand DL6WA mixed-type articulated tram.
202 Route Xiaoping Island, before the origin along the Huangpu, Zhongshan Road, Xi'an Road to end-hing Kung Street, channels Qixianling, high-tech parks, Heishijiao coastal, compounds which, Xinghai Square, Peace Square, the liberation Square, Xi'an Road Commercial Circle, etc. land. Vehicles produced 40 batches of "Dalian" and card-type articulated tram DL6WA.
202 Road extension point in the estuary, along the Port Arthur South, Guo waterways, MA North line, end zone at Port Arthur. Elevated across the board, using two dynamic two drag rail transportation vehicles, is actually a completely unrelated with the 202 tram independent light rail line, due to rail traffic engineering to avoid the cumbersome approval process and to the existing tram relatively simple procedure Line extension project in the name, it had this name.
2009 May 8 at about 9 am, 202 tram extension project groundbreaking ceremony at the Lushunkou District held at the East Jiguanshan.
Criticism
Trams in Dalian are not only an important means of transport but a historical testimony of this century-old city. The well-preserved tram lines were built by Japanese colonists in the early 1900s and nowadays these relics still serve as a crucial means of transport in the downtown area. Route 201 passes through the bustling residential areas. Tourists have a chance to see the daily life of the local people and passes through lush lawns, European style buildings, musical fountains and various charming squares. Route 202 takes passengers from the downtown area to the Xinghai Scenic Area including the Xinghai SquareXinghai Square
Xinghai Square, or Xinghai Plaza , is a city square in Dalian, China. It is located to the north of Xinghai Bay. Its total area is 45,000 m². Its name literally means "the Sea of Stars"....
, Exhibition Center, Xinghai Park and the famous bathing area.
Like other Asian trams of Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Sapporo, Dalian's tram has been / will be also an icon of the city in the past, present and future, and taking the important role in public transport service along with metro
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
.
See also
- Dalian MetroDalian MetroAt present, Dalian has no operating subway system, but the Dalian Metro, which is a rapid transit system in the city of Dalian, China. The system opened on 1 May 2003The system currently consists of one full line & one branch line:...
- Dalian suburban train
- Changchun TramChangchun TramThe Changchun Tram is an historic tram line in Changchun, Jilin, China. It was first opened November 11, 1941, and was constructed by the Manchukuo government. On August 15, 1945 the tram had 7 lines and 73 trains. At its peak in 1960, the tram had 6 lines and 88 trains covering almost...
- Hong Kong TramHong Kong TramwaysHong Kong Tramways is a tram system in Hong Kong and one of the earliest forms of public transport in Hong Kong. Owned and operated by Veolia Transport, the tramway runs on Hong Kong Island between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town, with a branch circulating Happy Valley...
- Shanghai TramZhangjiang TramZhangJiang Tram is Shanghai's streetcar system, utilizing the French Raul company's Translohr tram system. It is a rubber-tired tram system, second both in China and Asia....
- Tianjin TramTEDA Modern Guided Rail TramTEDA Modern Guided Rail Tram is a Translohr Light Rail system in Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area. It is a modern, high speed rubber tired tram system, both first in China & Asia....