Phase 1 comprises three lines totalling 80.6km. The Yuan 12bn Line 1 will be 26.4km long with nine stations and will link western districts of the city. The 35km east-west Line 2 is expected to cost Yuan 19.9bn and will have 14 stations including interchanges with lines 1 and 3. Line 3 will run north-south from Jinan East mainline station to Laohu Cave with 11 stations. The 19km line has a budget of Yuan 11.8bn.

With long distances between stops, all three lines will have a maximum speed of 100-120km/h and services will be operated by six-car Type B metro trains.

Construction is due to begin later this year and all three lines are due to be completed by 2019. Ultimately the city plans to build a 331km network with 155 stations.