I am delighted to announce Explore Bangkok, the 9th app for ExploreMetro. I recently moved from Shanghai to my new home in Bangkok, and, much like when I arrived in Shanghai ten years ago, I struggled to find high-quality information about the BTS (Skytrain) and MRT (metro) system in Bangkok. Now there's an map for that ;)
The app includes a routeplanner, first/last train times, prices, street maps, a "nearby stations" view, and tips for each station. We'll be working to add better and more accurate information over time, including prices for journeys including multiple services, Thai pronunciations, and more.
Please do download the app, and let me know what you'd like to see added next!
Four new stations have opened on the Guangfo Line of the Guangzhou Metro. The Guangzhou Line connects Guangzhou with nearby Foshan, and the new stations improve connectivity to the line, with a new interchange station with Line 8 at Shayuan.
Updates to our online map and Android app are now available, and iOS app update will be available soon, see our support site for details
Stage 2 of Singapore's newest MRT Line, the Downtown Line, will open on 27 December 2015. This weekend commuters had the chance to visit the new stations as part of an Open Day.
The new extension starts at the existing terminus at Bugis and heads North West, interchanging with the North East line at Little India, the North South line at Newton, the Circle Line at Botanic Gardens, and terminating at Bukit Panjang, from where it is a short walk to Bukit Panjang LRT station.
Here's a map of the new stations:
The full list of new stations is:
Bukit Panjang DT1/BP6
Cashew DT2
Hillview DT3
Beauty World DT5
King Albert Park DT6
Sixth Avenue DT7
Tan Kah Kee DT8
Botanic Gardens DT9/CC19
Stevens DT10
Newton DT11/NS21
Little India DT12/NE7
Rochor DT13
We'll be providing updates for our online SIngapore MRT map, iPhone app and Android app in time for the opening of the line in late December!
Under construction since 2009, the Hong Kong MTR West Island Line extension opened on December 28, 2014. The new 3km extension adds three new stations in Western District to the Island Line. From the previous terminal station at Sheung Wan, the new stations, from east to west are:
We’ve updated our online Hong Kong MTR app and Android app with the new stations, an update for our iOS app is currently being reviewed by Apple and will be available shortly. We’ll also provide a second update as soon as Sai Ying Pun station opens!
This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 15. Line 15 has been opened in sections, with the first section opening in December 2010, and the second section at the end of 2011. The new western extension continues from the old terminal station at Wangjing West, to six new stations from Guanzhuang to Qinghuadongluxikou.
There is a planned interchange station with Line 5 at Datunlu East, but construction work is not yet finished, so Line 15 trains will not yet stop there.
It’s also planned in future for Qinghuadonglu Xikou to become a new interchange station on Line 13.
The Beijing Subway has also replaced the old flat 2 RMB fare structure with a new distance-based fare structure, with prices varying between 3 RMB and 9 RMB. For example, a journey along the whole length of Line 15, from Fengbo to Qinghuadonglu Xikou will cost 7 RMB.
This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 14, which originally opened in May 2013. December 2014 saw a new extension, but curiously this is not connected to the existing part of Line 14! Eventually a central section will open to connect the two halves, but for now there are two separate sections: Zhangguozhuang – Xiju and the new section Jintailu – Shangezhuang.
The Beijing Subway has also replaced the old flat 2 RMB fare structure with a new distance-based fare structure, with prices varying between 3 RMB and 9 RMB. For example, a journey from Jintailu to Shangezhuang will cost 5 RMB.
This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 6. Line 6 opened two years ago providing relief for the overcrowded Line 1. In December 2014 it was extended eastwards to a new terminal station at Lucheng.
Two stations did not open with the rest of the line, and will open later (Tongyunmen and Beiyunhe East). The open stations are:
Wuzixueyuan Lu
Tongzhou Beiguan
Beiyunhe West
Haojiafu
Dongxiayuan
Lucheng
The Beijing Subway has also replaced the old flat 2 RMB fare structure with a new distance-based fare structure, with prices varying between 3 RMB and 9 RMB. For example, a journey from Wuzixueyuan Lu to Lucheng will cost 4 RMB.
This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Beijing Subway Line 7. Line 7 is a brand new east-west line, starting at Beijing West Railway Station and heading east through Fengtai, Xicheng, Dongcheng and Chaoyang districts.
It includes interchanges with Line 9 at Beijing West Railway Station, Line 4 at Caishikou and Line 5 at Ciqikou. Unfortunately a planned station at Shuangjing will not currently open, since the Line 10 station there was not planned as an interchange station. The full list of stations currently open is:
Beijing West Railway Station (Line 9)
Wanzi
Daguanying
Guang'anmennei
Caishikou (Line 4)
Hufangqiao
Zhushikou
Qiaowan
Ciqikou (Line 5)
Guangqumennei
Guangqumenwai
Jiulongshan
Dajiaoting
Baiziwan
Huagong
Nanlouzizhuang
Happy Valley Scenic Area
Shuanghe
Jiaohuachang
The Beijing Subway has also replaced the old flat 2 RMB fare structure with a new distance-based fare structure, with prices varying between 3 RMB and 9 RMB. For example, a journey from Beijing West Railway Station to Jiaohuachang will cost 6 RMB.
This week we’re previewing several new lines and extensions which opened at the end of December 2014. Today, Shanghai Metro Line 16. Line 16 opened last year with a section of track from Luoshan Road to Dishui Lake. The line wasn’t that well connected to the rest of the network, with the only interchange station to Line 11 at Luoshan Road. It’s now much better connected, thanks to the new 2-station extension:
In particular the station at Longyang Road provides easy interchanges with Line 2, 7 and the Maglev to Pudong Airport. Later in 2015, Line 11 will also be extended from Longyang Road to the Shanghai Disney Resort, so Line 16 will be a useful conduit for visitors heading from the airport to the Disney Park.
