China to build 158 metro lines

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development says China will have 158 metro lines by 2015, CCTV reports.

The state council recently approved a plan to build 79 new rapid transit systems in 22 Chinese cities over the next 6 years. A total of 2,260 kilometers of tracks will be laid, with investment of more than 820 billion yuan.

Analysts say the move will boost fixed-asset investment, and help regional economies fight the global financial downturn. But there are also concerns that such building is too costly, and unlikely to bring in much profit.

Source: Transportweekly