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Victorian
Reacher
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 367
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  Posted:
May 03, 2004 - 11:40 PM |
 
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| Post subject: What do U think of the Shanghai Metro? |
I only go on the tube whenever I give up on fighting with the locals for a cab, especially when it rains like tonight! Shanghai has all the $$ she has to build a world class metro system but she has opted for a 2nd or 3rd class system. How I wish she has a metro like the ones in Hong Kong! |
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okido
Rocker
Joined: Sep 14, 2003
Posts: 667
Location: A planet called Earth
Status: Offline
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May 04, 2004 - 02:07 AM |
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It's not just about the system, the hardware, but the quality of service, the level of cleaness and the level of politeness of the passangers. Can they ever really clean the floor of some stations? Can people ever cue for buying tickets, getting on and off the train? Even if they really bought and built the best, the most advanced system, it would still look and feel 3rd class if without the quality of service and quality of people to manage it and to ride with it.
Look at HK metro system. Look at Taipei metro system. They are all "older" than Shanghai Metro but both feel so much "newer". Look at Boston metro, you would feel it's aged, like a antigue still functioning well, but not "3rd class". I think what makes riding comfortable is not 100% the system but the quality of management and the society. |
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Victorian
Reacher
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 367
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May 04, 2004 - 04:02 AM |
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I agree totally that it's not just the system but the management and the society. I have given up on these two already because I think it will take 3 generations for the Shanghainess to catch up with what the more advanced places have nowadays. What the culture revolution has done to the society has been more far reaching than I expect before arriving here!! |
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tone
Seeker
Joined: May 11, 2004
Posts: 70
Status: Offline
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June 02, 2004 - 04:44 PM |
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Actually I don't think it's that bad - sure it ain't Hong Kong, but the MTR there is the best I've used (think bettter than Singapore) for convenience and shipping so many people efficiently.
Compared to some other places Shanghai system not so bad. Consider the smart card paying, the regular (I've only had one experience of delays) service and the (relative to the rest of Shanghai) cleanliness it's not bad. Not first class, but certainly not third.
What they need to do is think smarter like HK, with adequate escalators, transfer stops across the platform, not 3 kms away (ie People's Square) and enough exits.
Issues re standing in line for tickets, barging on the train before you get off, etc - well it is Shanghai after all!!! |
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Anniboodk
Fire-eater
Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 2787
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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June 02, 2004 - 04:52 PM |
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I don't think that the Shanghai metro is that bad either and I have to take it to and from work during rush hour. I find the metro, fast, clean and easy to navigate. The main problem is perhaps the subway ettiquette that many chinese people have yet to learn.
先下后上 (first let the people get off then get on) just isn't really practiced here. |
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ryanrake
Talker
Joined: Mar 08, 2004
Posts: 92
Location: 上海
Status: Offline
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June 02, 2004 - 05:59 PM |
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It ain't great, but it works for some of us. If you live right at one stop and work right at another, it is fine - particularly if you work/live near one of the final stops so you can get a seat most rides.
To me, I HATE the transfer points...I fortunately don't transfer enroute to/from work, but when I go out after work and someone suggests meeting off of the "other" line - I cringe...what is it about the 人民广场站 that makes that transfer so terrible!?!? the crowds are mind-blowing, the distance between platforms seems longer than my ride to work, and there seems to be two ways of getting from the 2 line platform to the 1 line - one seems shorter, but the other takes you around this corridor full of shops and brings you there in double the time...is it just me, or does someone else have this "there are two ways to the platform - choose well fool" feeling?!?!
I also wish you could transfer to the #3 line (light rail thingy) without actually leaving the station and having to pay again...again, a transfer issue for me...
anyway, yeah, given the inevitable necessity of good public transit here more needs to be done... |
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tone
Seeker
Joined: May 11, 2004
Posts: 70
Status: Offline
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June 02, 2004 - 06:12 PM |
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Agree with Ryanrake - the fact I walk an extra 15 minutes to my apartment rather than transfer to a line to be 5 minutes away is a good example of what a hassle it is. Particularly at peak times (when they shut the short way from line 1 to line 2 so you have no chance of the shortest way) or when it rains, People's Square is Nightmare Square for me! |
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tx2sh
Reacher
Joined: Jan 22, 2004
Posts: 209
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June 03, 2004 - 01:19 PM |
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| ryanrake wrote: |
| ...there seems to be two ways of getting from the 2 line platform to the 1 line - one seems shorter, but the other takes you around this corridor full of shops and brings you there in double the time...is it just me, or does someone else have this "there are two ways to the platform - choose well fool" feeling?!?!... |
i felt the same when i first did the transfer. if you remember to walk towards exit 5 (if you are going from the 1 to the 2) you will find that this is the shorter way. however, if you are trying to transfer during rush hour (7:30-9:30 and 16:30-18:30) you'll find you can only go one way (the long way)...an attempt to have a better flow of traffic...it actually helps a great deal. |
_________________
there can be no difference anywhere that does not make a difference somewhere. -william james |
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Zizi
Lurker
Joined: Feb 29, 2004
Posts: 33
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June 03, 2004 - 03:05 PM |
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Does anyone know why they keep playing the same "funniest home videos" reruns on line two? For a month and I half, I've been watching the same old fisherman hooking each other and falling in the water. |
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tone
Seeker
Joined: May 11, 2004
Posts: 70
Status: Offline
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June 04, 2004 - 11:03 AM |
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Those videos drive me crazy - especially the girl who does interesting things with her tongue (true!) - but they seem to keep those passengers who get off in the depths of Pudong happy and amused no matter how many times they show it.
Also, when are they going to update the English Premier League highlights on Line 2? This morning I watched Leeds v Spurs and Hoddle was still manager (he was sacked almost a year ago). |
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chihuahua
Newbie
Joined: June 25, 2004
Posts: 1
Status: Offline
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July 01, 2004 - 01:59 PM |
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Shanghai tube is of course cannot compare with those of London and HK, for the lack of experience and lack of years of development. However, it is improving in a fast speed considering the time range. And it is safe, no accident reported so far, which is the crucial to passengers. |
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tx2sh
Reacher
Joined: Jan 22, 2004
Posts: 209
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July 07, 2004 - 11:10 AM |
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does anyone know what the construction is about around people's square subway station? |
_________________
there can be no difference anywhere that does not make a difference somewhere. -william james |
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xixi
Reacher
Joined: Jan 04, 2004
Posts: 312
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July 07, 2004 - 07:06 PM |
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to tx2sh, they are just expanding the underground space for people flow by demolishing the stores. It is quite painful to see the prices that bad planning and management has to pay for.
"And it is safe, no accident reported so far, which is the crucial to passengers." suicidal accidents in subway are reported every month. The delay of the trains are not unusual if u read the newspapers here. Shanghai is considering of building shields on platform which is used in HK. Due to its high cost, don't know when it will be built.
I have just visited HK and so I can see the problems that shanghai subway has.
1. too many stores in subway which has actually slow the people flow;
2. incredibly inconvenient transfer, in HK, transfer distance is about 50 meters not like 2km in shanghai;
3. no shields to stop some people jumping from the platform;
4. no discount rate for the old and the kids and transportation card;
5. no clear signage or separation line for the in-out people flow;
6. manners need to be improved definitely
7. too many chinglish signage which is quite entertaining sometimes
still subway in Sh is the best transportation means to go to downtown. |
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Victorian
Reacher
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 367
Status: Offline
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July 09, 2004 - 02:16 AM |
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continued from xixi's list:
8. the train speed is faster in HK and they have 2 minutes service during rush hours;
9. the Octopus Card in HK provide discounts when you change from one mode of transportation to another, e.g. bus to MTR, this is a win-win-win solution to traffic jam - different operators can schedule shorter turnaround time and people are attracted to leave their cars at home;
10. the connectativity to streets, buildings, etc, are very well planned in HK, it's virtually weatherproof in HK;
11. the in-town-check-in service at the HK Airport Express stations is unbeatable;
12. the floors are less slippery in HK;
13. the flip gates in HK allow big luggage to pass thru';
14. air-conditioning in HK is better;
15. there is wifi services in HK MTR;
BTW, the name for those doors at the platforms are call Platform Screen Doors.
All I'm saying in this thread is that if SHA is spending billions to build a metro system, they should plan it well and build it good. I think the first five stations were opened about 10 years ago, they should have learnt all the good things about other metros around the world and to build the best one and to take pride in it. |
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okido
Rocker
Joined: Sep 14, 2003
Posts: 667
Location: A planet called Earth
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
July 09, 2004 - 08:47 AM |
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| Post subject: What do U think of the Shanghai Metro? |
| chihuahua wrote: |
| Shanghai tube is of course cannot compare with those of London and HK, for the lack of experience and lack of years of development. However, it is improving in a fast speed considering the time range. And it is safe, no accident reported so far, which is the crucial to passengers. |
No accident reported so far doesn't mean no accident at all. It's China!
Lack of years of development means they have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of other countries. That's actually an advantage.
Transfering in HK Metro is a swift and a PIA in Shanghai. Beware there is only ONE connecting station in Shanghai metro system. What a smart system design to put only one connecting/transfering point for two lines that both run thru the areas with highest population density? |
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tx2sh
Reacher
Joined: Jan 22, 2004
Posts: 209
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July 09, 2004 - 11:18 AM |
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at the hengshan station, they have those glass shields, but only on one side and only on part of the platform...not sure if that was just a test station or not.
i can say that getting rid of those stores on the (LONG) way to line 2 has helped tremendously with the crowding...i hope they restore the quick transfer point once this is all over. |
_________________
there can be no difference anywhere that does not make a difference somewhere. -william james |
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jamesup
Squeeker
Joined: July 09, 2004
Posts: 19
Location: Hong Kou
Status: Offline
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July 09, 2004 - 10:39 PM |
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Shanghai metro.... Its an interesting one..
I only got here a week ago, and have a joyfull hour trip to my school on lines 3 and 1 via the railway station. As a native of london I was expecting big things from shanghai, afterall, the tube opened 150 years ago!!!!
Seems not....
While in london I mentaly budget 20 minutes for zone one or two trip (city center ish) and 5 minutes more for every change... In dispite going less distance, on faster trains journeys here take much longer. The trains (except for the lack of maps or information on board) seem great, far better than the tube, and its nice to get off a train without ducking (I'm 6'3") but the stations... they just built it on the cheap. The brand new line 3 shuts at nine (?!) and has ducts and cables stuck everywhere... It seems everything is 'off the shelf' from the turnstiles to the wall finishes... If you built a mass transit from IKEA this is what you would get.
And they will pay for it... While some stations in london have had little more than a lick of paint and technical updates in 100 years shanghai looks old and decrepid allready.
There is no unified brand for the system like london, where you know what to look for by the shape and colour of signs etc.
Not enough ticket machines
no week/month passess (allthough using my transit card in taxis is great, London should do that
The turnstiles dont regester your card fast enough... london you touch it down and bang - the gates open.
The turnstiles should be replaced with gates, faster flow and more luggage can be carried more easily.
There are not enough turnstiles
there are not enough escalators
Information is not provided in stations for how to connect to buses to continue your journey
markings on the floor of where the doors stop are a realy bad idea given shanghai manners, just encourages the crowds.
Distances are far, far far far far far far far to long between lines at transfers.
You have to pay twice to transfer!!
I could go on.
Theres no one thing that is a disaster, it could all be fixed and not a to great a cost, still easier, the new lines could learn these lessons. Shanghai should get some people and send them to Hong Kong, London (maby just the Jubilee line!) Paris, Tokyo etc and see what can be done. The cloesest to Shanghai I can think of is Bucharest... not a city I would think they consider there equal...
Now, whoes for a game of mornington cresent? 1978 rules ok? |
_________________
"It does not matter if its a black cat or a white cat. We'll still eat it." |
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Victorian
Reacher
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 367
Status: Offline
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July 11, 2004 - 01:49 AM |
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PureXTC88
Reacher
Joined: Mar 24, 2003
Posts: 323
Location: Toronto / Pudong
Status: Offline
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Aug 18, 2004 - 10:52 AM |
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The metro itself isn't that bad. But it is pretty sad when you have to hire someone to stand on the platform to tell people to let the passengers off before entering the metro. People race like rats to grab any available seat. It is everyone for themselves, push, shove, kick, do what you have to do get that sliver of space so that you can rest half your ass cheek and get off the very next stop. |
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Victorian
Reacher
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 367
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Sep 26, 2004 - 11:25 PM |
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How do you like the new signage in Xu Jia Hui Station on Line No.1?
I think it's good step forward. It's more or less a copy of the Hong Kong one for the platform header box, you can tell which direction the train is going without having to find a metro map which is of non-existance on the platform.
The exits are clearly marked (at the exits) as to which department stores or landmarks they lead you to nowadays BUT you'll need a sense of direction to go to the correct exit and to check with the sign whether you've got it right or not. |
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tx2sh
Reacher
Joined: Jan 22, 2004
Posts: 209
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Sep 28, 2004 - 03:15 PM |
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i've noticed all of the new signs...they've even put up a sign to show where the handicapped people should go. what i have a question about is the new stops...are they finished yet? or are these signs just prep work for the future? |
_________________
there can be no difference anywhere that does not make a difference somewhere. -william james |
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nch1976
Seeker
Joined: Aug 27, 2004
Posts: 52
Status: Offline
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Sep 28, 2004 - 03:31 PM |
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it's okay for me when i have to go out to pudong...other than that, i rarely use the metro. not enough stops and it doesn't take you out to gubei which would make it really great. |
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Victorian
Reacher
Joined: May 03, 2004
Posts: 367
Status: Offline
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Sep 29, 2004 - 01:04 AM |
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tx2sh - The trains are actucally running to those new stations BUT you'll have to get off at Shanghai Railway Station, they are carrying out their test running for that extension - opening date, don't know. This is typical of the lack of attention to details again!! |
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Vika*
Lurker
Joined: Oct 03, 2004
Posts: 31
Status: Offline
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Oct 06, 2004 - 01:27 AM |
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The convenience it brings is obvious, while it also brings inconvenience due to the early closing time. Line 2 closes so early and the Pearl Line even closes at around 9 pm! Line 1 is comparatively better, but if one wants to catch the last train from XinZhuang Station to Shanghai Railway Station, she still needs to grab the time. I always daydream that metro and Pearl Line would run 24 around-the-clock...(I know it's hardly possible, that's why I call it daydream~~) |
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lc2382
Newbie
Joined: Sep 16, 2004
Posts: 5
Status: Offline
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Oct 06, 2004 - 05:33 AM |
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The Metro in Shanghai is bright and safe at all times, unlike the ones in Boston, Washington D.C., and dare I mention, New York City, where you constantly have to avoid the homeless/people who shove a foam cup in your face and ask for money. It also accomodates a lot more people than the ones in less populated countries. Some of the problems you mentioned, especially the ones regarding the rudeness of the passengers, are problems that are generated by a humongous population. Imagine if your home country were as populated as China is, would people really act as 'civilized' as they do now? We need to be a little more patient and forgiving given the circumstances. |
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