China Opens First Cross Province Urban Railway
China has launched its first interprovincial urban rail line, deepening infrastructure integration between Jiangsu and Anhui provinces as the country continues expanding transport networks to support regional economic growth. The Ningma Line, connecting Nanjing with the city of Ma’anshan, officially entered operation in late April and is being positioned as a model for future cross-region rail development across China’s major metropolitan clusters.
The project spans approximately 54 kilometres and includes 16 stations, with trains operating at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. The line reduces travel time between the two cities to around 37 minutes, significantly improving commuter efficiency and freight-linked labour mobility within one of eastern China’s most industrialised corridors. Unlike previous metro systems confined within provincial borders, the Ningma Line was jointly financed, constructed and operated by authorities from both provinces, reflecting increasing policy coordination around integrated urban development.
Construction began in 2021 as part of China’s broader push to strengthen economic connectivity between neighbouring cities and manufacturing hubs. The railway links major residential, industrial and technology zones, supporting Beijing’s long-term strategy of creating interconnected mega-regions capable of sustaining productivity growth despite slower national economic expansion. Analysts believe transport integration remains central to China’s infrastructure-led development model, particularly as local governments seek new drivers for investment and employment.
The trains were produced by CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock and feature semi-automated operational systems designed to improve reliability and reduce long-term maintenance costs. The rolling stock includes automated monitoring technology, energy-efficient systems and enhanced passenger management infrastructure intended for high-frequency urban transit operations. The project also incorporates integrated signalling and electrical redundancy systems to support continuous cross-jurisdictional service reliability.
China remains the world’s largest urban rail construction market, with authorities continuing to prioritise metro, commuter and regional railway expansion despite mounting debt concerns within local governments. The Ningma Line demonstrates how transport infrastructure is increasingly being used not only to improve mobility, but also to strengthen regional economic consolidation and industrial coordination. Observers expect additional cross-provincial rail systems to follow as China accelerates development of large-scale urban economic corridors nationwide.