China's monster metro plans

China pledged to invest over USD 161bn in metro projects for 28 cities. As of November, some 12 cities in the country had metro networks. The plan announced by the China's Communications and Transport Association last month would see a total network 250 times the length of the London Underground Circle Line. Over 90 new lines were approved.

The focus was on metros for smaller cities such as Taiyuan, Urumqi and Shijiazhuang. Other small cities including Dali, Haikou, Zhuzhou and Luoyang were preparing their own proposals as T&TI went to press.

Zhao Jian told the Telegraph's Shanghai reporter that all existing metros have failed to become profitable, though they have been seen as a symbol of progress for smaller cities and increased traffic will raise the need. Funding will likely come from bank loans as many local governments in China are heavily in debt.