Shanghai is the third city in China to build a subway system, but Shanghai will be the first city of China that owns over 200 km (about 124 miles) metro lines by the end of this year. The government has very a very aggressive plan that by 2010 (when EXPO is held in Shanghai) over 400 km metro lines will be in use, the number will reach 500 km at year 2012.
The Shanghai Metro is made up of both subway and the elevated light railways. It has been the main transportation tool for the citizens of Shanghai which makes transportation between home and work much more convenient for thousands of inhabitants of Shanghai. According to some survey, the transit system serves the city of Shanghai by transporting around 1.8 million passengers each day. And comparatively speaking, to take the subway is a better choice to get around Shanghai. Because the subway system covers the main places in Shanghai and it is a quick way to reach places where you want to go, with the advantage of paying much less than for a taxi ride.
Up till now, the Shanghai Metro operates five lines and has four more lines under construction. Here’s a map of Shanghai Metro:
