Shenzhen is set to expand its metro network once again, with Phase II of Metro Line 6 Branch and Phase II of Line 16 scheduled to open by the end of September, according to a notice released by the Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission.

Both new lines will adopt a distance-based fare system. The base fare is set at 2 yuan for the first 4 kilometers. For journeys between 4 km and 12 km, passengers pay 1 yuan for every additional 4 km; between 12 km and 24 km, 1 yuan for every 6 km; and beyond 24 km, 1 yuan for every 8 km.

In recent years, Guangming District has witnessed rapid growth in rail transit, greatly benefiting local residents. Among the standout projects is the Line 6 Branch, which runs through Guangming Science City, connecting research institutions, universities, and green landscapes while showcasing the district’s modern and livable urban environment.

Phase I of the Line 6 Branch opened in November 2022, spanning 6.13 km with four stations: Guangming, Zhenmei, Sun Yat-sen University, and SUAT. The line cut travel time from Guangming's central area to the Shenzhen-Dongguan border to less than seven minutes, significantly boosting regional connectivity.

Phase II of the Line 6 Branch will extend 4.96 km, linking the under-construction Guangmingcheng Station on Line 13 in the south with Guangming Station on the existing Line 6 Branch in the north. It will include three underground stations: Guangmingcheng, Hongqiao Park, and Biyan. The line will operate with fully automated driverless trains.

The new section is expected to further enhance the line's appeal. Guangmingcheng Station, already a major transport hub on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Ganzhou-Shenzhen High-Speed Railway, will offer seamless connections between high-speed rail and the metro. This will make travel to Shenzhen North Station, Futian, Hong Kong West Kowloon, and Guangzhou South stations faster and more convenient.

Hongqiao Park Station will give passengers easy access to Hongqiao and Xincheng parks, as well as Guangming District's Public Sports Center. Biyan Station will serve one of Guangming's earliest and most vibrant residential areas, with nearby schools, hospitals, shopping centers, markets, and well-known eateries such as Guangming Guesthouse and Xinhu Roast Chicken.