Gaoxin Avenue – the axis of the Optics Valley Sci-Tech Corridor. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

There are now more than 200,000 commuters per day in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area, among which 110,000 are commuting from the cities of Wuhan, Ezhou, Huanggang and Huangshi.

Hubei is currently doubling down on efforts to build the Optics Valley Sci-Tech Corridor, which is centered on the East Lake Science City in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC), and is trying to further develop the Wuhan Metropolitan Area.

The flows of talent, capital and technology around the corridor are now more extensive than ever before, and an integrated transport network has been shaped, making it possible for people to live in one city and work in another.

"It takes me less than 20 minutes to travel between OVC and Gediannan Railway Station," said Deng Jiake, a general manager who has been working at a firm based in the valley for 13 years.

Wuhandong Railway Station, which began operating in August this year, has served about 223,000 passengers. The Wuhan Commuter Rail will reportedly start from the Optics Valley Central City and end in the Ezhou Huahu Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone. The second phase of construction on the rail will extend to the city of Huangshi, and the entire route will be 64 kilometers long.