Construction of 21 stations along Hangzhou metro line 1 have been completed, with 28 tunnels cut through and a tunnel shield length of 45 km, almost 64 percent of the whole task.

On morning of July 28, the reporters got to the metro central station. There are four groups of lifts here. Passengers go down to the second floor to swipe their cards to enter the station. Waiting areas are on the third floor underground. There are barrier-free lifts or wheelchairs available down to the second floor underground. The lift would be convenient also for the elderly, children and pregnant women. Other passengers can take escalators or walk down the stairs. The lift carrying capacity is 1,000 kg, about 13 people’s weight. Anyone in need of help could press the call button outside the elevator, and working staff in the control room would provide service.

Each waiting area on the third floor underground is 12 meters wide. One feels cooler and cooler when stepping down, because stations underground have a sound air-conditioning system. In summer the second floor underground temperature won’t be higher than 30℃，and the third floor underground 29℃. In winter their temperatures won’t be lower than 12℃. The air will be of high quality too.

As for cell-phone signals underground, it would be no problem. One can call his or her boss or wife or husband, and all will be okay There will be LCDs to remind passengers of the train time, and inside the train LCDs will provide information.

By Li Cheng & Liu Aizhang