Major Developments in China’s Urban Rail Transit Industry in 2025

1. World’s First Carbon Fiber Metro Train Enters Commercial Service

On January 10, 2025, the world’s first carbon fiber metro train, CETROVO 1.0 “Carbon Star Express,” jointly developed by CRRC Qingdao Sifang and Qingdao Metro Group, officially entered commercial operation on Qingdao Metro Line 1. The project marks the first commercial application of carbon fiber composite materials in the primary load-bearing structure of metro vehicles, representing a significant milestone in lightweight and sustainable urban rail transit development.

2. Multiple Metro Operators Adopt DeepSeek AI Model
In 2025, metro operators in cities including Jinan, Kunming, Tianjin, Hefei, and Nanning integrated the DeepSeek large language model into their systems, accelerating intelligent transformation and enhancing smart operation and passenger services.

3. Next-Generation Intelligent Intercity EMU Rolls Off the Production Line
On April 2, 2025, a next-generation intelligent intercity electric multiple unit (EMU) with a design speed of 200 km/h was unveiled by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles.
The four-car trainset is designed for short-distance, high-frequency operations and features large passenger capacity, rapid acceleration and deceleration, and intelligent service, monitoring, and maintenance systems.

4. Quantum Security Technology Enhances Rail Transit Data Protection
On April 7, 2025, Hefei Metro Group announced a collaboration with QuantumCTek to explore quantum-secured data transmission for rail transit systems.
The project aims to apply quantum cryptography to passenger information systems and automated fare collection systems, providing ultra-high-level data security based on the principles of quantum physics.

5. China’s First “5G-A 4CC” Metro Scenario Deployed

On April 23, 2025, China’s first 5G-Advanced 4-carrier aggregation (4CC) metro experience upgrade was launched at Fuzhou Metro stations.
By combining dual-frequency spectrum aggregation with AI-enabled network intelligence, the solution significantly improves connectivity and supports digital upgrades along metro corridors.

6. Beijing Achieves Full Coverage of Five Major Global Card Schemes
On June 15, 2025, Beijing’s urban rail system began supporting contactless payments with JCB and American Express cards, in addition to UnionPay, Mastercard, and Visa.
Beijing thus became the world’s first city with full metro network coverage for all five major global card schemes.

7. World’s First Autonomous Delivery Robot Takes the Metro
On July 14, 2025, an autonomous delivery robot completed its first delivery mission by independently riding Shenzhen Metro Line 2.
The project, jointly operated by Shenzhen Metro Group and Vanke, integrates AI scheduling, lidar, and autonomous mobility technologies, showcasing a new application model for urban logistics.

8. China’s First Hydrogen-Powered Cultural Tourism Train Unveiled

On October 16, 2025, China’s first hydrogen-powered cultural tourism train, “Hydrogen Spring,” was officially unveiled by CRRC Changchun.
Designed for urban cores, satellite cities, and tourist destinations, the train offers a low-carbon solution integrating urban mobility with cultural and tourism services.

9. Suzhou Launches China’s First “Metro Station + AI + OPC” Incubation Platform

On December 8, 2025, Suzhou Metro launched its “Super Intelligent Agent” and introduced the country’s first “Metro Station + AI + OPC” incubation platform.
The platform provides end-to-end support for AI-driven entrepreneurship, from computing resources to real-world application scenarios.

10. Rail Transit Operators Explore Integration with the Low-Altitude Economy

As the low-altitude economy gains strategic importance, rail transit operators in cities such as Shenzhen, Qingdao, Hefei, and Suzhou are exploring integration models combining rail transit and low-altitude technologies, expanding application scenarios and advancing the development of multi-dimensional transportation systems.