Ningbo cross-sea rail line draws huge crowds on free trial day

(ECNS) -- Ningbo Rail Transit Line 12, a cross-sea suburban railway in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, launched a six-day free trial run on Monday, drawing large crowds and prompting the operator to issue crowd control advisories.

Crowd control measures are implemented at Xiaoyangjiang Station, a three-line interchange hub on the Ningbo Rail Transit network, on the first day of free trial runs for Line 12 on Sept. 14, 2026. (Photo: The Paper)

The 61.5‑kilometer line connects six districts and one county with 10 stations. Operating at speeds up to 160 km/h, it links the city center to Xiangshan County in about 30 minutes and features an 8.3‑kilometer cross‑sea bridge.

Crowds gathered at stations including Xiaoyangjiang and Xiangshan Dancheng, with visitor numbers at Xiangshan's seafood markets rising by 50 to 60 percent compared with usual days. Tourist visits to Songlanshan coastal resort also increased.

The trial run, which collects public feedback before the line's official opening, offers two free rides per person with vouchers available at any station.

(By Tang Yuxian)