Kyusigai Metro
The Kyusigai Metro or きゅしがい けれた ばわふ たなふ (Kyusigai Kereta Bawafu Tanafu) is the metropolitan railway system of Kyusigai, the capital of Sokoku. Locally, the metro is commonly referred to as けばた (Kebata) as an acronym of Kereta Bawafu Tanafu. It consists of 11 lines with a total length of around 350 km and has 217 stations. Even though the Bahaso name literally means "subway" or "tunneled railway", only 50-60 km has actually been built underground.
History
The metro system is the result of careful planning, which is typical for Sokokan urbanism. When the Häverist Urbanate of Neuwelsen was liberated from Helreich's rule, the new leadership of Shuuen designated the city as new capital for the independant state that later would evolve into Sokoku. The Urbanate did not have plans for a metro system, but some regional railways had been build, which the city board of Kyusigai used as a starting point for an urban rail system.
When Sokoku was founded in 76XX one of the first acts was planning for efficient and vibrant cities, where local transportation was the centerpiece. In the case of Kyusigai, a master plan was developed for 1 million inhabitants in 50 years time, which included four metro lines converging into a central axis with three stations: Pusat, Kotatua and Kunci. Line A (the current purple lines) was opened between Maret Emas and Syair Pujian in 7623. Soon after followed line B (current red lines) between Lehar (nowadays Lehar Pusat) and Gunung Palu. Within 10 years the third line C (current blue lines) opened as well.
Even though the city's master plan showed 4 metro lines, these lines were extended first before that fourth line. Often in stages of 4-6 stations at a time, usually spaced with about 1 km between them, the network was gradually growing. The new stations formed the backbone of residential planning in the city, where thousands of dwellings were completed each year. In 7653, 30 years after opening, the blue line to the southwest was split into two branches from Bunga Bakung station. A new, revised city plan was presented in 7659 now aiming at 2.5 million inhabitants in the year 7700, with all of the 4 lines splitting and fanning out, creating a network of 8 lines.
Another change in the plans was that Line D would not be connected to the central axis, but would intersect the network at 4 separate stations. Both lines in the northwest were opened in phases between 7656 and 7667 as part of the construction of a new part of the city there.
When the city reached its goal of 2.5 million inhabitants already in 7677, the 8 line network needed a quick upgrade. This was found in the so-called green lines, four regional railways that would get incorporated in the system. In 7679 the system was extended with four lines, temporarily terminating at Kunci and Pusat, while construction of a new central tunnel from Tenaga Surya to Negara Selatan began. When this tunnel opened in 7685 the lines could be connected. The lilac line was also diverted to this new track to serve the 4 new stations on the metro network. The green lines have a different character with stations spaced out 4-8 km between each other, nearly doubling the network's length in one go.
The latest addition to the network is the white, circular line. This is a mixed line, in parts a metro tunnel, in other parts a streetcar on the road's median while in some påarts it is elevated on long bridges. The part between Tenaga Surya and Gunung Palu was opened in 7690.
Future plans
Extensions to the northeast and southeast are not expected since the landscape is a rugged coast with difficult circumstances for urbanisation. The blue lines and purple line towards the west is also considered complete, since extension would lead to long travel times on the line.
Apart from extending the white circular line, there are plans to open a third green line, branching off to the northwest and southwest. Furthermore, the orange line is currently being extended past Leher Kotak towards Ular Masuk and Pulau Panas. But most work is done at upgrading the stations where the green line connects to existing metro lines.
Characteristics
The purple, red and blue lines are classical metro lines with underground stretches in central parts, stations about 1 km apart and mostly double track. The later built orange lines have mainly been built undergound with stations about 1.5 km apart. The green lines are regional urban railways that have been integrated into the system.
In the periphery of the coastal regions the metro system is more like a suburban railway with small scale stops at platforms instead of station buildings. Several of these lines are single track for the last 3-5 stops, since a single train can carry out a 10 to 15 minute interval timetable without any problem. This means that during rush hours, severak trains on the red line will not go all the way to the terminus, but turn around at Lintah Boda, Gunung Palu or Bangau.