Beijing has taken another significant step towards easing urban congestion and enhancing public transportation by opening three new metro lines on Sunday. With this expansion, the Chinese mainland’s capital’s total urban rail transit length now reaches 879 kilometers, positioning it as the city with the most extensive metro network among Chinese metropolises.
According to Wu Yulan, an official from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, the new lines include an east-west underground corridor that traverses the city. This corridor connects with numerous north-south rail transit lines, offering residents in major residential areas new and convenient travel options.
“The addition of these lines is a crucial development for our city’s transportation infrastructure,” Wu remarked. “Our rail transit network now boasts 522 stations, including 98 interchange stations, significantly improving connectivity and reducing travel times for commuters.”
In response to growing traffic congestion, Beijing has been proactively expanding its subway system to provide efficient mass rapid transit solutions for its sprawling population. Since the inauguration of Beijing Metro Line 1, the Chinese mainland’s first urban rail transit line, on October 1, 1969, the city has continually invested in its metro network, building the country’s longest-operating and most extensive urban rail system.
The ongoing development of Beijing’s metro network reflects the city’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility and improving the quality of life for its residents. With the new lines now operational, commuters can expect reduced traffic on the roads and more efficient journeys across the city.
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Beijing adds three new metro lines, further easing downtown traffic
cgtn.com
