The Pearl River Delta Metropolitan Region Intercity Railway System (Chinese: 珠江三角洲地區城際軌道交通, abbreviated as PRDIR) is a regional higher-speed rail and suburban rail network being gradually constructed in the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area), People's Republic of China. The project's goal is to have every major urban center in the Greater Bay Area to be within one-hour travel by rail to Guangzhou.[1] On March 16, 2005, the State Council approved plans for a regional high-speed commuter rail network for the Jingjinji, Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta. According to the plan, by 2020, the network will have a total route mileage of about 600 kilometres (370 mi).[2][3] In September 2009, the plan was expanded to 1,478 km (918 mi) of routes split up into 23 lines. In the long term vision network length will reach 1,890 km (1,170 mi) by 2030. By then the network will provide basic coverage to the Pearl River Delta region. The Suishen ICR, Guanhui ICR and Guangfozhao ICR accept Alipay, avoiding the need to purchase tickets in advance.[4]
