Line 1

Line 1, formerly known as Luobao line, runs westward from Luohu to Airport East. Trains operate every 2 minutes during peak hours and every 4 minutes at other times. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 1's color is green.

• December 28, 2004: Luohu – Window of the World
• September 28, 2009: Window of the World – Shenzhen University
• June 15, 2011: Shenzhen University – Airport East^[13]

Line 2

Line 2, formerly known as Shekou line, runs from Chiwan to Liantang. Line 2 is connected with Line 8 at Liantang station. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 2's color is orange, the same as Line 8.

• December 28, 2010: Chiwan – Window of the World^[14]
• June 28, 2011: Window of the World – Xinxiu
• October 28, 2020: Xinxiu – Liantang

Line 3

Line 3, formerly known as Longgang line, runs from Futian Bonded Area to Shuanlong in Longgang, in the north-east part of the city. Construction began on December 26, 2005.^[15] The line is operated by Shenzhen Metro Line 3 Operations, which has been a subsidiary of SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group) since April 11, 2011, when an 80% stake was transferred to SZMC. Line 3's color is sky blue.

• December 28, 2010: Caopu – Shuanglong
• June 28, 2011: Yitian – Caopu^[16]
• October 28, 2020: Futian Bonded Area – Yitian

Line 4

Line 4, formerly known as Longhua line, runs northward from Futian Checkpoint to Niuhu. Trains operate every 2.5 minutes at peak hours and every 6 minutes during off-peak hours. Stations from Futian Checkpoint to Shangmeilin Station are underground. The line has been operated by MTR Corporation (Shenzhen), a subsidiary of MTR Corporation, since July 1, 2010. Line 4's color is red.

• December 28, 2004: Fumin – Children's Palace
• June 28, 2007: Futian Checkpoint – Fumin
• June 16, 2011: Children's Palace – Qinghu
• October 28, 2020: Qinghu – Niuhu

Line 5

Line 5, formerly known as Huanzhong line, runs from Chiwan in the west to Huangbeiling in the east. Construction began in May 2009 and the line opened on June 22, 2011.^[17] Line 5 required a total investment of 20.6 billion RMB. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 5's color is purple.

• June 22, 2011: Qianhaiwan – Huangbeiling
• September 28, 2019: Qianhaiwan – Chiwan

Line 6

Line 6, formerly known as Guangming line, runs from Songgang in the north to Science Museum in the south, with a length of 49.4 km (30.7 mi) and a total of 27 stations. Construction began in August 2015 and the line opened on August 18, 2020. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 6's color is mint green.

• August 18, 2020: Science Museum – Songgang

Line 6 Branch

Line 6 Branch, also known as Branch Line 6, runs from Guangming to SIAT in the north. The line opened on November 28, 2022. Line 6 Branch's color is teal.

• November 28, 2022: Guangming – SIAT

Line 7

Line 7, formerly known as Xili line of the Shenzhen Metro, opened on October 28, 2016, with a length of 30.137 km (18.726 mi)^[12] and a total of 27 stations. It connects the Xili Lake to Tai'an. The line travels East–West across Shenzhen in a "V" shape. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 7's color is navy blue.

• October 28, 2016: Xili Lake – Tai'an

Line 8

Line 8, formerly known as Yantian line of the Shenzhen Metro, opened on October 28, 2020, with a length of 20.377 km (12.662 mi)^[12] and a total of 11 stations. It connects the eastern suburbs of Liantang to Yantian Road, then towards the beach resorts at Dameisha and Xiaomeisha. However, this line serves as the extension of Line 2 in actual operation. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 8's color is orange, the same as Line 2.

• October 28, 2020: Liantang – Yantian Road
• December 27, 2023: Yantian Road – Xiaomeisha

Line 9

Line 9, formerly known as Meilin line or Neihuan line of the Shenzhen Metro, opened on October 28, 2016. The line runs eastward from Qianwan to Wenjin. It has 10 transfer stations. The line is 36.18 km (22.48 mi) long, running through the districts of Nanshan, Futian and Luohu. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 9's color is grey brown.

• October 28, 2016: Hongshuwan South – Wenjin
• December 8, 2019: Qianwan – Hongshuwan South

Line 10

Line 10 formerly known as Bantian line, runs from Futian Checkpoint in the south to Shuangyong Street in the north, with a length of 29.3 km (18.2 mi) and a total of 24 stations. Construction began in September 2015 and the line opened on August 18, 2020. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 10's color is pink.

• August 18, 2020: Futian Checkpoint – Shuangyong Street

Line 11

Line 11, also known as the Airport Express, runs from Bitou in the northwest to Gangxia North in the city centre via Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. Construction began in April 2012 and the line opened on June 28, 2016. Line 11 runs at a higher speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), however, the current line speed is limited to 80 km/h (50 mph). The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 11's color is maroon.

• June 28, 2016: Bitou – Futian
• October 28, 2022: Futian – Gangxia North

Line 12

Line 12, also known as Nanbao Line, runs from Zuopaotai East in the southwest to Waterlands Resort East in the northwest. Construction began in 2018 and the line opened on November 28, 2022. Line 12's color is light purple.

• November 28, 2022: Zuopaotai East – Waterlands Resort East

Line 14

Line 14, also known as the Eastern Express, runs from Gangxia North in the city centre to Shatian in the northeast. Construction began in 2018 and the line opened on October 28, 2022. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 14's color is yellow.

• October 28, 2022: Gangxia North – Shatian

Line 16

Line 16, also known as Longping Line, runs from Universiade in the centre of Longgang to Tianxin in the northeast. Construction began in 2018 and the line opened on December 28, 2022. The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 16's color is dark blue.

• December 28, 2022: Universiade – Tianxin

Line 20

Line 20, formerly known as Fuyong line, runs from Airport North in the north-west to Convention & Exhibition City near Shenzhen World. Construction began in September 2016 and the line opened on December 28, 2021. Line 20 runs at the same top speed as line 11, at 120 km/h (75 mph). The line is operated by SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). Line 20's color is light blue.

• December 28, 2021: Airport North – Convention & Exhibition City^[18]

Early planning

In late 1983, Party Secretary of Shenzhen Mayor Liang Xiang led a team to Singapore to study its mass transit system. Upon returning it was decided that 30 metres (98 ft 5 in) on each side of Shennan Avenue should be protected as a green belt, and to set aside a 16-metre (52 ft 6 in) wide median reserved for a light rail or light metro line.^[19] In 1984, the "Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Master Plan (1985–2000)" pointed out that, with the growing population and traffic in Shenzhen, a light metro system would not have sufficient capacity to meet future demand. Instead the report proposed a heavy rail subway line to be built along Shennan Avenue.^[20] The project was finally approved by the Central Planning Department in 1992.^[21]

In August 1992, during and re-feasibility and rail network planning, The Shenzhen Municipal Government decided to move from building a light metro line to a heavy rail subway line. The rapid growth of Shenzhen City made a lower capacity light metro line impractical.^[22] In 1994, Shenzhen organized the preparation of the "Shenzhen urban rail network master plan" to be incorporated into the "Shenzhen City Master Plan (1996–2010)".^[23] The city's vision for an urban rail network would consists of nine lines. Of the nine transit lines, three of them would be commuter rail lines upgraded from existing national mainline railways. The total length of the proposed network would be about 270 km (170 mi). The three upgraded commuter rail lines would overlap the Guangzhou–Shenzhen railway, Pinghu–Nanshan railway and Pingyan railway.^[23] This plan established the basic framework for the Shenzhen Metro network.^[24]

Construction suspended and restarted

In December 1995, the State Council issued the "moratorium on approval of urban rapid transit projects" to suspend approval of rail transit projects in all Chinese cities except Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The Shenzhen Metro project was postponed.^[25] In 1996, prior to the handover of Hong Kong, authorities attempted to restart construction by renaming the project "The Luohu, Huanggang / Lok Ma Chau border crossing passenger rail connection project", stressing that the project is designed to meet the potential growing demand for cross-border passenger traffic after the handover.^[23]

In 1997, Shenzhen reapplied its Subway plans to the State Planning Commission, and received approval in May 1998.^[22] The project was renamed the "Shenzhen Metro first phase".^[26] In July 1998, SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group). was formally established.^[26] By April 1999, the subway project feasibility study report has been approved by the state.

Phase I (1998–2004)

Construction of the first sections of Line 1 and Line 4 began in 1999. The grand opening of the Shenzhen Metro system occurred at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, December 28, 2004. This made Shenzhen the seventh city in mainland China to have a subway after Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Dalian and Wuhan.

Initially the trains operated at 15-minute frequencies and consisted of Line 1 services between Luohu and Shijie Zhi Chuang (now Window of the World) and the Line 4 services between Fumin and Shaonian Gong (now Children's Palace). Initially the English names of the stations were rendered in Hanyu Pinyin, but some of the names were changed to English translation with American spelling in mid-2011.

The Futian Checkpoint station opened on June 28, 2007, using the name Huanggang.^[27]

Name changes

On April 23, 2008, Shenzhen Municipal Planning Bureau announced that it would change the nomenclature of Shenzhen's subway lines according to the "2007 Urban Rail Transit Plan Scheme". Instead of using numbers as the lines official designation, as typically used in other mainland Chinese metro systems, lines would be given Chinese names more akin to the Hong Kong MTR.^[28] In 2010, the Scheme was reviewed and adjusted with new routes and names in addition to newly proposed lines. On October 23, 2013, the SZMC (Shenzhen Metro Group) decided that current operational lines will have their number and names combined, while future lines will only be numbered.^[29] Due to the change in the construction order of several lines, some numerical names have been reviewed in order to prevent big jump between numbers. By 2016, only numerical names are used.

Lines currently in operation:

Lines under construction:

Phase II (2007–2011)

From 2004 to 2007, there was a lack of official government interest and attention to expanding the subway after completion of Phase 1 with little or no active projects.^[30] Subway construction speed was ridiculed as "earthworm speed".^[31] On January 17, 2007, Shenzhen won the right to host the 2011 Universiade. In the bid Shenzhen committed to complete 155 km (96 mi) of subway lines before the games.^[30] The mayor of Shenzhen at the time, Xu Zongheng, sharply criticized the speed and efficiency of Shenzhen's subway construction procedures and calls for reform.^[32] Subsequently, the Shenzhen municipal government and various departments signed a liability form, requiring Phase II subway expansion to be completed in time for the Universiade.^[33] Shenzhen Metro increased to over a hundred operating metro stations in June 2011, just before the Shenzhen Universiade games. In the span of two weeks, the network expanded from 64 km (40 mi) to 177 km (110 mi). This expansion increased rail transit's share of total public transit trips from 6% to 29% in 2014.^{[34][35][36][37]}

Phase III (2012–2023)

In 2010, the Shenzhen Urban Planning and Land Resources Committee proposed a building program (Phase III) between 2011 and 2020. In 2011 this plan was approved by the NDRC. Phase III formally commenced in May 2011 with an expected cost of 125.6 billion yuan. It will cover Lines 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 and will extend the length of the Shenzhen Metro to 348 kilometres (216 mi) and 10 lines.^[38][39] In June 2011, the Shenzhen Urban Planning and Land Resources Commission started gather public input on Phase III station names.^[40] On June 28, 2016, Line 11 opened being the first subway line in Shenzhen with 8 car trains and 120 km/h (75 mph) maximum service speed and the first in China with a First Class service. Lines 7 and 9 followed on October 28, 2016. South extension of Line 5 opened on September 28, 2019, and west extension of Line 9 opened on December 8, 2019. Line 6 and Line 10 opened on August 18, 2020, bringing the length of the Shenzhen Metro to 382.1 km (237.4 mi) and the fourth longest in China. Second east extension of Line 2, second south extension of Line 3, second north extension of Line 4 and phase 1 of Line 8 opened on October 28, 2020, bringing the length of the Shenzhen Metro to 411 km (255 mi).

Phase IV (2017–2025)

With the shortening of the Phase III implementation period,^[46] a number of lines (Lines 16 and 12) planned in 2007's Phase III moved into the next phase.^[47] By 2016, it was determined that Phase IV will have an implementation period between 2017 and 2022 and consist of 274 km (170 mi) of new subway.^[48] Lines 13 and 14 which originally had a long term 2030 completion deadline were moved into Phase IV expansion. In addition, a branch line of Line 6 will connect with the neighboring Dongguan Rail Transit system.^[49] Lines 12, 13, 14, and 16 and branch of Line 6 was approved by the NDRC in July 2017 and started construction in January 2018.^[50][37]

Phase IV revised expansion (2020–2025)

The first phase of Line 20 was fast tracked from Phase IV to provide a shuttle between Line 11 and a new International Convention Center, now called Convention & Exhibition City. The construction started in September 2016, but as for early 2019, the construction is paused because the Development and Reform Commission did not approve the project. The Phase IV revised plan approved by the NDRC on March 26, 2020, approved the first Phase of Line 20 allowing for construction to continue. The line eventually opened on December 28, 2021. Futian to Gangxia North in the first section of Phase 2 of Line 11 opened on October 28, 2022.

Phase IV expansion

Phase IV Revised Expansion

The Phase IV revised plan approved by the NDRC on March 26, 2020, added a number of extension projects.^[53]

Miscellaneous

Line 5 west extension is part of Phase II expansion.

Phase V (2023–2028)

In the Shenzhen Metro 2007 masterplan proposed four more lines (Lines 13, 14, 15 and 16) which have a planned completion target of 2030.^[54] In 2016, all aforementioned lines but Line 15 were designated as part of the Phase IV expansion, moving the completion date forward from 2030 to 2022. In 2012, four further lines Qiannan (Line 17), Pinghu (Line 18), Pingshan (Line 19) and Fuyong (Line 20) where unveiled, making the total planned length of the Shenzhen Metro to 720 km (447 mi) spread out over 20 lines. The first phase of Line 20 was fast-tracked and included in the Phase III revised expansion with a completion date of 2018. This leaves Line 15, 17–19 and the rest of Line 20 available for the next phase (Phase V) of subway expansion. In September 2022, the Shenzhen municipal government confirmed the projects proposed to be included in its phase V expansion. A total of 227 km (141 mi) of new lines are proposed.^[55]

On March 31, 2023, the Bureau of Housing and Urban Rural Development of Shenzhen Metro Municipality will open the bidding for the fifth phase planning of Shenzhen Metro Metro, including Line 15, Line 17 Phase I, Line 19 Phase I, Line 20 Phase II (Airport East—Baishizhou), Line 22 Phase I, Line 25 Phase I, Line 27 Phase I, Line 29 Phase I and Line 32 Phase I, This means that these 9 lines have been approved with an investment amount of 191.1 billion yuan. However, Line 18 Phase I, Line 21 Phase I, Line 10 East Extension (Shenzhen Section) and Metro Line 11 North Extension (Shenzhen Section), which were previously proposed to be included in the fifth phase plan of Shenzhen Metro, were not included in this announcement.^[56]

In June 2023, the Fifth Phase Construction Plan of Shenzhen Urban Rail Transit (2023–2028) has been approved for a total of 11 construction projects, including Line 15, Line 17 Phase I, Line 19 Phase I, Line 20 Phase II (Airport East—Baishizhou), Line 22 Phase I, Line 25 Phase I, Line 27 Phase I, Line 29 Phase I, Line 32 Phase I, Line 10 East Extension (Shenzhen Section) and Metro Line 11 North Extension (Shenzhen Section).^[57] On June 28, 2023, Shenzhen Metro Line 15 started construction, followed by Line 17 Phase I and Line 20 Phase II on October 10, 2023, Line 22 Phase I on January 2, 2024, Line 25 on February 26, 2024, Line 27 on April 25, 2024 and Line 19 on May 9, 2024. Line 29 will start construction in 2024, and the Line 10 and 11 connecting lines' construction timeline is to be determined.

Long-term plan

Aside from the set masterplan, at the 12th Guangdong Provincial People's Congress in January 2014,^[58] it was proposed to extend Line 4 beyond the planned Phase III terminus at the Songyuan Bus Terminal in Guanlan. The proposal wanted to further extend this line to reach the future planned Dongguan Metro Line 4 at Tangxia station. This proposal aims to shorten the distance between the two cities in residents' minds, boost tourism industries in both cities and expand housing options. It would also allow for direct connection between Hong Kong and Dongguan. As the area in the proposed area is less developed, the cost in building the line is expected to be lower, with a feasibility study yet to be conducted. In addition to metro lines, 5 Pearl River Delta Rapid Transit lines connecting neighboring urban centers in the Pearl River Delta such as Dongguan, Huizhou, Foshan and Guangzhou, totaling 146 km (91 mi), have also been revealed.^[59] In 2016, an even more ambitious masterplan, expanding the previously planned 20 lines to 32, was unveiled. The new plan envisions a 1,142 km (710 mi) subway network to be completed by 2030. This will allow for travel between the central and suburban districts to be shortened to 45 minutes and for public transit to make up more than 70% of all motorized trips in Shenzhen.^[60]

Tokens

When using cash, a RFID token (NXP Mifare Classic) is purchased and used for a single, non-returnable journey. There are two different types of tokens, with green tokens for Standard Class, and yellow tokens used for Business Class which is only available on Line 11. All ticket vending machines offer both English and Chinese interface. The purchaser touches a station name to calculate the fare. After payment, a green token is dispensed, which must be scanned at the entrance station and deposited at the exit station. A penalty applies should a token be lost. Purchasers of green tokens cannot ride Business Class on Line 11 directly. Instead, they must get off at any transfer stations with Line 11 and purchase a separate yellow token.

Note that as of 2015, many machines accept only 5 or 10 RMB notes. The token(s) are only valid at the station where issued. Passengers are unable to buy an extra token for return journey prior to departure. Baggage X-Ray machines are located at each station, and may be staffed during peak hours.

Shenzhen Tong cards

Shenzhen Tong is a pre-paid currency card similar to Oyster card system in London and the Octopus card system used in Hong Kong. The multiple fare card stores credit purchased at stations. The card can be used by waving it in front of the card reader located at all entrances and exits to the subway system. Riders who pay for metro fare with a card receive a 5% discount. Since March 1, 2008, riders who pay for a bus fare with a card and then a subway fare within 90 minutes receive an additional 0.4 RMB discount on the subway fare. Card users pay a distance based fare.

Since June 30, 2011, cards containing both a Shenzhen Tong and Hong Kong Octopus chip have been available in both Shenzhen and Hong Kong. There are plans to further integrate the two systems, and for a new card which will be accepted all over Guangdong province and China's two SARs.^[81][82]

Unlike Hong Kong Octopus Cards, Shenzhen Tong cards cannot be sold back to the stations or have faults dealt with by SZMC. Instead, the customer must go to the offices of Shenzhen Tong. Students studying in Shenzhen can use the Shenzhen Tong to receive a 50% discount.

Note that discounts are not applicable for people who ride Business Class carriages on Line 11.

Metro cards can also be used on Shenzhen's public bus system.

Metro 1-day passes

Metro 1-day pass is a smart card that allowed the card holder have unlimited access of the metro system in 24 continuous hours. Passengers can purchase a 1-day pass for RMB 25 in the service center in any metro station. The pass will be activated and the passenger will have 24 continuous hour for unlimited access after the first entrance. When the pass expired, the pass is no longer available for entering a station but able to exiting a station and finish a journey in 27.5 hours. The 1-day passes are not applicable for Business Class carriages on Line 11.

Rolling stock

Signalling system

On Line 1 and Line 4, Siemens supplied 7 (Phase 1) and 6 (Phase 2) LZB 700 M continuous automatic control systems; 7 (Phase 1) and 6 (Phase 2) electronic Sicas ESTT interlockings; the Vicos OC 501 operations control system with 2 operations control centers, fall-back level with Vicos OC 101 and RTU (FEP), 230 (Phase 1) and 240 (Phase 2) FTG S track vacancy detection units.^[85]

Line 2 and Line 5 use Casco CBTC system with 2.4 GHz frequencies, and so the system has suffered frequent problems with interference from consumer Wi-Fi equipment.^[86] By the end of November 2012, CASCO solved the problem on Lines 2 and 5 by switching to their standard solution with frequency diversity on 2 different channels.