Shanghai Keolis, a joint venture between the Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Co. Ltd. (51%) and Keolis Group (49%), started operating the fully-automated Pujiang metro line, the first fully automated metro line in Shanghai. The line comprises approximately four miles of double track and six elevated stations.

The seven-year operations and maintenance contract was awarded to Shanghai Keolis two years ago.

The new line is notably a driverless rubber-tire Automated People Mover (APM) system. Designed to serve residents in the district of Minhang (Pujiang town), the line runs along the Sanlu Highway from Huizhen Road Station to Shendu Highway Station where passengers can commute to Shanghai metro line 8.

There are several dynamic features of the APM system, which include short distances between stations, a small turning radius, a lightweight design, and reduced noise, as well as fast acceleration and deceleration. The metro line is overseen by an integrated control center to operate and monitor the trains and stations. The metro line also features an advanced signaling system allowing the trains to operate driverless and enables trains to run every three minutes, 20 seconds during peak hours and every six minutes during weekends.

Present in China since 2014, Keolis continues to develop its expertise in intermodal integration and understanding local mobility needs. Since its creation, Shanghai Keolis has been awarded two automated metro projects, the other is the new Automated Rapid Transit Transport System for Shanghai Pudong International Airport, scheduled to be launched in 2019.