It will link Bawangfen, east of the city proper, and Tongzhou, an eastern suburb, which is scheduled to be completed in 2002, with 27.5 minutes of one-way operating time.

Beijing started construction of its first light railway in September this year, the 40.5 km-long railway will link Xizhimen and Dongzhimen.

Currently, Beijing has opened 55.5 km of urban railway transportation.

Light rail is a high-speed, safe, pollution-free transportation method with a large passenger capacity. It will help Beijing alleviate cumbersome road transportation and establish a multi-dimensional traffic system, experts say.

(Xinhua 12/19/2000)