[photopress:logistics_MTR_number_5_1.jpg,full,alignright]Beijing has opened its new 27.6 km No 5 mass transit line and, at the same time, slashed the price to a flat fare of RMB2.
The opening of the RMB12 billion line is part of a nationwide explosion of interest in mass transit networks.
Over the next decade, 15 Chinese cities will spend RMB 620 billion to build 1,700km of underground lines and urban light railways. More than 20 other cities are also seeking permission to build lines.
Beijing hopes to have 561km of subway line in operation by 2015 — which takes it well past London Underground.
Building the new underground lines will be not be the total answer. The capital still lacks the convenient suburban rail links that round out the transit systems of London or Tokyo. But at least this is a massive start.
Source: Financial Times
