Objective Against the backdrop of regional integration, the intercity travel has shifted from a "low-frequency, long-distance" model to a "high-frequency, short-distance" one. However, intercity rail transit lines generally face the challenge of poor passenger flow efficiency. It is necessary to analyze the passenger flow characteristics of maturely operated intercity rail transit lines based on the experiences of such lines, with a view to providing theoretical support and practical paradigms for the sustainable development of rail transit in metropolitan areas.

Method  Taking the Guangfo （Guangzhou-Foshan）Metro Line, China’s first intercity metro line, as the research object, the evolution pattern and driving mechanism of passenger flow on this line are revealed. Based on multi-source data from 2011 to 2021, a three-dimensional analytical framework of policy-space-network is constructed to systematically analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of passenger flow on the Guangfo Metro Line and their influencing factors. Finally, suggestions are put forward for the development of other subsequent intercity rail transit lines, and warnings are given regarding potential problems that may arise during the development of such lines.

Result & Conclusion  The passenger flow growth of the Guangfo Metro Line has gone through four phases over time, eventually presenting dual-peak commuting + balanced weekend passenger flow characteristics. Spatially, an interactive pattern of multi-line connection is also formed. The development model of the Guangfo Metro Line is characterized by breaking down administrative barriers through institutional innovation; by establishing a collaborative planning-development-operation mechanism and an industrially gradient-driven development model, to further facilitate the transformation of intercity rail transit from a passive connection to an active integration.