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Beijing Rail Stations to Be Linked by Metro Line

Visitors to Beijing will soon find it easier to shuttle between the capital's two major railway stations, thanks to a new railway link plan, officials said.

The Ministry of Railways, according to Beijing Daily and China Daily reports, will begin construction of a 9.16-kilometre-long underground transit line, connecting the Beijing Railway Station and Beijing West Railway Station likely by the end of 2005, said a source close to the National Development and Reform Commission. The connection is expected to be completed by 2008.

"A feasibility report has been completed and design work for the line is being undertaken," said Wang Ming, an official with the planning department of the Railway Ministry.

The move is expected to ease on-ground transportation tension in the city's central area.

The two railway stations, one located southeast of Tian'anmen Square, on the city’s subway loop line, and the other near another metro line, are located in the city centre.

Tens of thousands of passengers commute between the two stations each year, most of whom are migrant workers and long-distance travellers from North China heading south.

Because train transfers always take place at different stations, a national long-distance traveller arriving at the Beijing Railway Station may very often have to commute to the Beijing West Railway Station to depart on the second leg of a trip.

"I'm delighted to hear the news. It means I can finish the transfer between the two stations in just a few minutes," said Lu Yuan, a student at Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University.

A native of Jilin Province, in Northeast China, Lu said the transfer procedure between home and campus every vacation was complicated.

About 2.08 billion yuan (US$253.6 million) will be allocated for the project, with each kilometre costing about 200 million yuan (US$24 million).

Seventy-two pairs of trains are set to run on the track each day by 2010, and another 13 pairs are expected to be added to the daily schedule by 2015.

In another development, with the construction of an electromagnetic train line starting soon, local residents will find it much easier to travel to the airport from their urban homes.

The 27-kilometre line, linking Dongzhimen station on the loop line of the metro with Capital International Airport, will shorten the trip to about 15 minutes.

It takes at least half an hour for Beijingers to drive to the airport now.

According to Liu Zhiyuan, general manager with China Railway Electrification Bureau (Group), the project is co-sponsored by five related companies, with investment of about 5 billion yuan (US$600 million).

It should also be in use by 2008.