Beijing Subway
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The Beijing Subway or Beijing Metro (Template:Zh-cp) is a rapid transit system that serves the greater Beijing area and its various outlying suburbs.
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History
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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). 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.
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).
See also: Line 1 (Beijing Subway)
Line 2 (Loop Line)
Image:Beijing Subway Line 2.jpg
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.
See also: Line 2 (Beijing Subway)
Line 13
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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).
See also: Line 13 (Beijing Subway)
Batong Line
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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.
See also: Batong Line (Beijing Subway)
Line 4
Under construction
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
Under construction
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)
Under construction
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
Under construction
Line 9 is 18.3 km long. The first phase stretches from Baishiqiao (白石桥) to Beijing West Railway Station.
Line 10
Under construction
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.
L1 Line (Airport Extension)
Under construction
L1 Line stretches from Dongzhimen (东直门) to Beijing Capital International Airport. It connects to Line 2 and Line 13. Construction started in 2005. It is scheduled to open on June 30, 2008.
L2 Line (Yizhuang Light Rail)
Under construction
L2 Line is 19.5 km long. It will serve the Yizhuang (亦庄) area to the southeast.
Future Projects
The following projects are still in planning stage:
- Line 9 will be extended to the Beijing World Park.
- Line 10 will be extended to Songjiazhuang (宋家庄).
- Three suburban lines (Xi'erqi - Changping, Gaobeidian - Shunyi and Yongdingmen - Liangxiang) are on the drawing board.
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. It is expected that the card will also be accepted on the rest of the lines soon, perhaps as early as the end of 2006.
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 make 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.
See also
External links
- Official Beijing Subway Website
- Beijing Subway Information on UrbanRail.net
- Beijing Subway Tips
- The Beijing Guide
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