Stretching 40.85 kilometers in the north of the city, the U-shaped railway was built at a cost of 6.57 billion yuan (US$801 million).

The route will be the No 13 line in Beijing's planned metropolitan rail system, and is the first track built on surface and overhead rails.

The western section of the light railway, covering about 20.62 kilometers, went into operation on September 28 last year.

About 190 trains will operate each day, or one train every 10 to 15 minutes, from January 29, according to the Beijing Subway Group.

The train will run at a speed of 44 kilometers per hour, and the whole trip will take 56 minutes.

"The light railway will help ease downtown traffic pressure and boost the development of north Beijing," said Xie Zhengguang, general manager of the group.

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2003)