Beijing Subway

The Beijing Subway () is a rapid transit system that serves Beijing city and its various outlying suburbs. It is a very minimal system given the population and density of Beijing, though expansions are expected by the arrival of the 2008 Olympic Games.

History

Beijing's subway system was the first such system nationwide. Construction works began on July 1, 1965, as part of the military defense systems after the Sino-Soviet split. Three major cities - Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang were proposed to build subway systems in the 1960s, but only Beijing Subway was built. It connects Xishan (西山) and the municipal area, with capability of transporting 5 to 6 divisions from Xishan to Beijing per day in case of Soviet invasion.

The first stretch of the Beijing Subway, from Beijing railway station to Pingguoyuan (苹果园), was first operated on October 1, 1969. The line corresponds to the western section of Line 1 and the southern section of Line 2 (Loop Line) today. Initially, however, this line was only for official use. The system became open to general public in 1977, and in 1980 for foreign visitors.

The Loop Line was first built in 1969, on the site of Beijing city wall. On September 20, 1984 the rest of the Loop Line was opened, and the Beijing Subway was henceforth operated as two lines. On December 12, 1992, Line 1 was extended eastwards from Fuxingmen (复兴门) to Xidan (西单). The second stretch (16.1 km) of the subway was funded by a $165 million (20 billion yen) loan from Japan. On September 28, 1999 Line 1 was further extended from Xidan to Sihuidong (四惠东). The entire passageway was opened on June 24, 2000, thus allowing trains to go directly from Pingguoyuan to Sihuidong. There are still two stations near Xishan (#101 and #102) kept as military reserve stations and not open to public.

Line 13 was opened in two sections, the western section until Huoying (霍营) on September 28, 2002, and the eastern section on January 28, 2003. In the meantime, the Batong Line, built as an extension to Line 1, was opened as a separate line on December 27, 2003.

The Beijing Subway currently has 4 lines: Line 1, Line 2, Line 13 and Batong Line. As part of the preparations for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing has pledged to expand its public transportation network. Beijing projects expansion of its subway network from the current 114 km to 481.2 km by 2015 (around 200 km by 2008).

Beijing plans to invest 63.8 billion yuan (7.69 billion US dollars) in future projects between 2002 and 2008. The Beijing Subway is now a market-oriented operation and is jointly funded by government and investors. The remainder will be covered by low interest bank loans, mostly provided by the Big Four banks in China.

Current lines

Line 1

Line 1 runs from Pingguoyuan (苹果园) in the west to Sihuidong (四惠东) in the east. At 31.04 km long, it is the longest east-west subway line in Beijing. It runs beneath the extended Chang'an Avenue and through the commercial districts of Xidan, Wangfujing and Dongdan. Two stops on either side of Tian'anmen make it the only line that runs through the core of Beijing.

Current Line 1 stations are: Pingguoyuan, Guchenglu, Bajiao Amusement Park, Babaoshan, Yuquanlu, Wukesong, Wanshoulu, Gongzhufen, Junshibowuguan, Muxidi, Nanlishilu, Fuxingmen (interchange to Line 2), Xidan, Tian'anmen West, Tian'anmen East, Wangfujing, Dongdan, Jianguomen (interchange to Line 2), Yong'anli, Guomao, Dawanglu, Sihui (interchange to Batong Line) and Sihuidong (interchange to Batong Line).

Line 2 (Loop Line)

Line 2 is also known as the Loop Line. It was first built on the site of Beijing city wall, and expanded from its south and southwestern parts to form a full loop in the early 1980s. The line is linked to Line 1 at Fuxingmen and Jianguomen, and to Line 13 at Xizhimen and Dongzhimen. Line 2 is 23.61 km long, most of which is beneath the 2nd Ring Road.

Current Line 2 stations are: Xizhimen (interchange to Line 13), Chegongzhuang, Fuchengmen, Fuxingmen (interchange to Line 1), Changchunjie, Xuanwumen, Hepingmen, Qianmen, Chongwenmen, Beijing Railway Station, Jianguomen (interchange to Line 1), Chaoyangmen, Dongsishitiao, Dongzhimen (interchange to Line 13), Yonghegong, Andingmen, Guloudajie and Jishuitan.

Line 13

Line 13 is 40.85 km in length. It was opened in two sections: the western section until Huoying (霍营) on September 28, 2002, and the eastern section on January 28, 2003. It is also known as the City Rail Line. Most of the line is above ground, with some sections elevated several meters above street level. It runs between Xizhimen and Dongzhimen, forming a loop that serves the northern suburbs of the city. Line 13 connects to Line 2 at Xizhimen and Dongzhimen.

Current Line 13 stations are: Xizhimen (interchange to Line 2), Dazhongsi, Zhichunlu, Wudaokou, Shangdi, Xi'erqi, Longze, Huilongguan, Huoying, Lishuiqiao, Beiyuan, Wangjingxi, Shaoyaoju, Guangximen, Liufang and Dongzhimen (interchange to Line 2).

Batong Line

The Batong Line, built as an extension to Line 1, was opened as a separate line on December 27, 2003. It is fully above ground, mostly follows the Jingtong Expressway. Batong Line is 18.9 km long and stretches from Sihui in the west to Tuqiao in the east.

Current Batong Line stations are: Sihui (interchange to Line 1), Sihuidong (interchange to Line 1), Gaobeidian, Broadcasting Institute, Shuangqiao, Guanzhuang, Baliqiao, Tongzhoubeiyuan, Guoyuan, Jiukeshu, Liyuan, Linheli and Tuqiao.

Lines planned or under construction

Line 4

Line 4 is mostly underground. It is approximately 27 km long and stretches from Longbeicun (龙背村) at the Summer Palace to Majialou (马家楼) in south Beijing. Construction started in 2004. It is scheduled to open on September 30, 2009.

Line 5

Line 5 is 27.6 km long. It runs from Taipingzhuangbei (太平庄北) to Songjiazhuang (宋家庄). Construction started in December 2002. This is Beijing's first north-south line and runs through some important parts of the city center. It is scheduled to open on June 30, 2007.

Line 8 (Olympic Branch Line)

Line 8 is 4 km long and completely underground. It stretches from Xiongmaohuandao (熊猫环岛) to Senlingongyuan (森林公园), and will serve the new Olympic Park area. Construction started in 2004. It is scheduled to open on June 30, 2008.

Line 9

Line 9 is 18.3 km long. The first phase stretches from Baishiqiao (白石桥) to Beijing West Railway Station.

Line 9 will be extended to the Beijing World Park.

Line 10

The first phase of Line 10 is 26.2 km long and stretches from Wanliu (万柳) in west Beijing to Jingsong (劲松) in southwestern Beijing. It is completely underground, mostly follows the 3rd Ring Road. Construction started in 2004. It is scheduled to open on June 30, 2008.

Line 10 will be extended to Songjiazhuang (宋家庄).

Line L1 (Airport Extension)

Line L1 stretches from Dongzhimen (东直门) to the two terminals (T2 & T3) of Beijing Capital International Airport with a fork near to the airport. It connects to Line 2 and Line 13 (in future will connects to Line 10). Construction started in 2005. It is scheduled to open on June 30, 2008. The line will have a 4 km underground section and 23 km of elevated track.

Line L2 (Yizhuang light rail)

Line L2 is 19.5 km long. It will serve the Yizhuang (亦庄) area to the southeast.

Fares

The fare for Lines 1 and 2 costs 3 RMB, and transfer between these two lines at Fuxingmen and Jianguomen is free. The fare for Line 13 costs 3 RMB, and that for the Batong Line is 2 RMB. There's also a ticket valid for one transfer between Lines 1&2 and Line 13 for 5 RMB, and a ticket valid for one transfer between Lines 1&2 and Batong Line for 4 RMB.

Line 13 uses automated ticket gates, while the other lines have employees at platform entrances to check passengers for tickets. Many of the stations that are part of the older lines contain automated gates as part of an early testing phase. However, they were deemed to be inefficient and were abandoned early on.

For users of Beijing's new Yikatong transportation card (One-Card Express), Line 13 accepts them for fare payment. In May 2006 other lines of the Beijing Subway also began to accept the Yikatong card.

Challenges

Services for the Disabled

At present time, the Beijing Subway is still partially unfit for the disabled. Services and amenities for the disabled, however, are being progressively introduced. Authorities claim completion by 2006, but the fact that some stations were built during the 1960s through the 1980s makes the task daunting.

Automatic Ticket Systems

Currently, no lines apart from Line 13 employs Automatic Ticket Systems, and revision of stations on Lines 1 (western) and 2 (entire loop) is difficult, as the entrances to the stations are way too narrow. Tickets on these lines are bought, instead, from subway staff. Remodelling these stations to allow for automatic systems is therefore also a daunting task.

Emergency Services

After witnessing disastrous subway accidents in the Republic of Korea (e.g. Daegu), Beijing authorities took prompt action in late 2003 and early 2004 and banned shops inside subway stations. Also, reflective self-illuminating signs were installed in case of emergencies. Finally, the underground mall at the subway station at Xidan was closed in 2003. Despite being very popular, authorities fear that evacuation may be hampered in the case of a subway accident.

External links

Beijing Subway | Transport in Beijing

U-Bahn Peking | 北京地下鉄 | Beijings tunnelbana | 北京地铁

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