Every morning, Ms. Wu in Hefei clocks in punctually on Metro Line 6. Living in Luyang District and working in the High-tech Zone, the distance between the two areas is instantly shortened as soon as the train starts, making her commute relaxed and convenient.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Anhui's rail transit has undergone a transformative leap, evolving from the former "lone standout" of Hefei into a thriving pattern of "three cities dancing together"—Hefei, Wuhu, and Chuzhou. This flowing "urban artery" has not only reshaped the spatial layout of cities but also become a powerful engine driving high-quality regional economic development.

On December 26, 2025, Hefei Metro Line 6 officially commenced operations, marking a perfect conclusion to the development of Hefei's rail transit during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.

Over these five years, the operational mileage of Hefei's rail transit has surged from 111 kilometers to 259 kilometers, and the number of lines has increased from 4 to 7. A rail network covering core commercial districts, transportation hubs, and key areas is rapidly taking shape, stretching the city's "framework" wider and ensuring its "lifelines" flow more smoothly.

To date, Hefei's rail transit has transported over 2.6 billion passengers, with a record daily ridership reaching 3.6127 million. The rail network, now covering more areas, providing smoother connections, and offering better services, has become the preferred choice for residents' travel.

Moving from "mere commuting" to "enjoying life," the metro is no longer just a means of transportation but is transforming into a warm and welcoming urban oasis.

Hefei Metro embodies thoughtfulness in its details: cooling zones in summer, warming stations in winter, and year-round amenities such as energy replenishment kits and service toolkits.

Beyond facilitating urban commutes, the rail transit system also enables effortless "cross-province trips," serving as a vital link for Anhui's active integration into the Yangtze River Delta's coordinated development and cross-province collaboration. This turns the concept of "regional integration" into a tangible reality within reach.

Riding on the wings of integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta, Chuzhou and Ma'anshan have leveraged their geographical adjacency to Jiangsu and made intercity railways a breakthrough point to actively integrate into the regional transportation network.

From the arduous exploration of single-city rail systems to the coordinated development of interconnected networks across four cities, and from the convenience of urban commuting to breakthroughs in cross-province integration, every kilometer of Anhui's rail transit extension carries the aspirations of the people and writes a new chapter in urban development.

With rails as its lifeline, it serves not only as a "lifeline for public well-being," but also as an "economic artery for regional growth," and a "thread of hope connecting to brighter horizons."

Source: anhuinews.com