The interior view of a train running the express line of the Guangzhou Metro Line 18 between Wanqingsha Station and Xiancun Station. [Photo/gznsnews.com.cn]

The two-way express lines of the Guangzhou Metro Line 18 running between Wanqingsha Station in Guangzhou's Nansha district and Xiancun Station in Tianhe district are expected to shorten the travel time between Nansha to downtown Guangzhou to around 30 minutes, local media outlets reported on Sept 16. 

The first phase of the metro line 18, which will start operation this year, will apply the combination operation of both express lines and common lines.

In the preliminary stage, a total of 15 trains will be put into operation and the maximum passenger capacity of each train can reach 2,600 people, and has a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour. 

The interval for common lines is around seven and a half minutes and that for express lines is around 37.5 minutes. The express line only stops at four stations, namely Wanqingsha, Hengli, Panyu Square and Xiancun stations, and is seven minutes faster than the common line. 

Monitors and announcements will update passengers on the status of express line trains' distances and arrival times. 

The gate machines applied in stations on the metro line 18 are able to support passengers to scan tickets, enter quick response codes and use facial recognition to enter the stations. 

The monitors on the platform screen doors are able to tell people if a train car is overcrowded and guide passengers to train cars with fewer people.