Line 3 (Shanghai Metro)


Line 3 is a north-south line of the Shanghai Metro network. Its rolling stock carry a bright yellow colour belt to differentiate them from Line 4 trains which share a portion of its route. Unlike the majority of the lines in the Shanghai Metro system, Line 3 is primarily elevated, entirely above ground except for, located at the entrance to Baosteel Group Corporation. The line runs from in the north to in the southwest of the city, where it meets Line 1. While Line 1 goes straight through the city center, Line 3 roughly follows the Inner Ring Road around the city from to . The line is colored yellow on system maps.

Service routes

Important stations

This line followed the route of historic railway lines Shanghai-Hangzhou Railway Inner Circle Line from Shanghai South Railway Station to Shanghai Railway Station, and Songhu Railway from Baoshan Road station to Jiangwan Town station.
In October 2006, according to a new naming scheme, East Wenshui Road station was renamed Dabaishu station. The scheme stressed naming stations after existing toponyms, sights and attractions rather than simply after neighbouring vertical streets, making it easier for visitors to find these places. In this particular case, the renaming aimed also to eliminate possible confusion between Wenshui East Road and Wenshui Road, a newer station of line 1. However, in a more recent case, the same type of confusion occurred at West Yingao Road station of line 3 and East Yingao Road station of line 10.
SegmentDate openedLengthStationName
Shanghai South — Jiangwan Town26 December 200019Pearl line
Baoshan Road — Hongqiao Road31 December 2005tracks sharing9Line 3 & 4 realignment project
Jiangwan Town — North Jiangyang Road18 December 200610Northern extension

Current operation

Because it shares tracks with Line 4, Line 3 operates on a comparatively looser schedule, with an average interval of around 7 minutes. However, riders can expect a 2-minute train interval at any one of the shared-line stations during rush hour. To avoid confusion, Line 3 trains have the number 3 painted on the sides of trains, and Line 4 trains the number 4.
Not all trains serve the whole line. Because Baoshan District is largely suburban, some trains stop service at Changjiang South Road, while others continue to Jiangyang North Road, the northernmost station. Therefore, service between Changjiang South Road and Jiangyang North Road operates on a 10-to-12-minute basis, compared to the rest of the line which operates on a 5-to-7-minute basis. An LED screen in front of a train will indicate its terminal station, in addition to the station broadcast and the arrival board.
Because Line 3 is elevated, transferring to other underground stations typically takes more walking. In-system transfer has been introduced to all interchange stations except Shanghai Railway Station. Virtual interchange is offered at both stations for Public Transportation Card holders.

Rolling Stock