Transport in Beijing

Roads in Beijing

Beijing, as the capital and a municipality of the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a transport hub, with a sophisticated network of roads, railways and a major airport. Five completed ring roads encircle a city with nine expressways heading in virtually all compass directions, supplemented by eleven China National Highways.

Transport in the capital is overseen by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport.[1]

Road network

The Badaling Expressway near the intersection with the Northern 6th Ring Road (taken in November 2002)

Ring roads

The 2nd Ring Road at Chaoyangmen

The city is served by five completed ring roads. From the centre of the city outward, they are:

The "1st Ring" of Beijing refers to the historic tram route (now demolished) through Xidan, Ping'anli, Di'anmen, Beixinqiao, Dongdan and Tiananmen. No ring roads are built on this route but it is still called "1st Ring". From that on, ring road built on Beijing's historic city limit is called 2nd Ring.

Expressways

The Jingtong Expressway
Main topic: Expressways of Beijing

Nine toll expressways link Beijing to its suburbs, outlying regions, and other cities; these are:

China National Highways

Map of central Beijing (1988)

Eleven China National Highway routes depart from Beijing in virtually all compass directions:

Traffic congestion

Beijing as of 2011 has an estimated 5 million registered cars on its roads, so traffic congestion is widespread. Traffic in the city centre is often gridlocked and is only predicted to get worse as the number of vehicles on Beijing's roads increase. It is predicted by 2016 Beijing will have over 6 million cars on its roads.[3] To combat congestion the local government has rapidly been building the subway system adding more lines and working towards doubling the length of the subway system by 2015. In addition to this they have decreased the cost of fares in an attempt to encourage more people to use public transport. In 2008 Beijing introduced restrictions on the number of cars on its roads in attempt to reduce congestion and pollution during the Olympic games period. They did this by adopting odd-even traffic restriction on alternative days. Cars with number plates ending with odd numbers were restricted one day and the next day cars with number plates ending with even numbers were restricted. Drivers who were unable to use their cars did not have to pay road or vehicle taxes, costing the city around 1.3 billion yuan.[4]

Urban public transportation

Beijing has an extensive public transportation network of buses, trolleybuses, suburban rail and a rapidly expanding subway system. In 2011 42% of commuters used public transit in Beijing.[5]

Beijing Subway

The Beijing Subway now has 19 lines, 700 km (430 mi) of tracks and 319 stations in operation. Subway travel is generally fast, clean, economical and during peak periods congested. On average currently around five million people ride the subway daily. By 2015 the city predicts daily ridership will increase to over 8 million journeys a day.[6] A ¥3 minimum fare that rises according to the distance travelled applies to all lines, except the express link to the airport, which costs ¥25. The electronic commuter fare card, Yikatong is accepted on all lines. The subway network is undergoing rapid expansion, and by 2015, the city will have 19 subway lines and over 700 km (430 mi) in track length. This would make Beijing's subway system one of the largest in the world.[7]

Beijing Suburban Railway

The Beijing Suburban Railway is a commuter railway service that connects outlying counties with the subway network. Six "S-numbered" lines have been planned. There is only one S-Line currently in operation. The S2 Line runs from the North Station at Xizhimen to the downtown area of Yanqing County via Badaling Great Wall in Yanqing County.

City bus & trolleybus

The Beijing Public Transport Holdings, Ltd. ("BPT") is the main bus and trolleybus operator in the city. It is owned by the city and, as of 2009, operated nearly 28,000 buses (including trolleybuses) on 882 bus lines and delivered 5.03 billion rides in 2009.[8] in 2011, Beijing had more than 28,343 buses carrying over 13.39 million person/trips a day.[5]

Lines & fares

BPT's buses use the following route number scheme and fare schedule. On January 1, 2007, bus fares were significantly reduced. On December 28, 2014, bus fares were increased to help cover operation costs.

Line No. Line Description Cash fare
(in RMB (¥))		 Smartcard fare (Yikatong)
(in RMB (¥))
1-140 Bus routes in the city's urban core inside the Third Ring Road, including all trolleybus lines (38, 42, 101-109, 111, 112, 114-116, 118, 124, BRT3(快速公交3) and, BRT3区(快速公交3区)). ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
300-599 Bus routes that extend beyond the Third Ring Road to inner suburbs. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
600-799 Longer bus routes that run through both the urban core and suburbs. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
801-999 Bus routes that run to distant suburbs. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
特2-19
double-decker		 The prefix 特 (tè), meaning "special", denotes double-decker bus routes in the urban core and inner suburbs. Their number scheme is distinct from other buses, such that Bus 特2 follows a different route than Beijing Bus 2. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
快速公交
BRT1-4		 The prefix 快速公交 (kuàisù gōngjiāo) designates the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes which run on bus-only lanes. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
观光1-3
tourism		 The prefix 观光 (guānguāng), meaning "tourism" or "sight-see", designates three bus routes that operate around popular tourist sites such as the Forbidden City, Tian'anman Square, the Summer Palace, and the Olympic Park. ¥15.00 for 观光1.
¥15.00 for 观光2.
¥20.00 for 观光3.		 ¥15.00 for 观光3.
专3-169
shuttle		 The prefix 专 (zhuān), meaning "special", denotes short shuttle bus routes that serve particular neighborhoods. Their number scheme is distinct from other buses, such that Bus 专59 follows a different route from Beijing Bus 59. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
夜1-38
night		 The prefix 夜 (yè), meaning "night", denotes buses serving the urban core and some of the larger suburbs that run from 23:20 to 4:50. Their number scheme is distinct from other buses, such that Bus 夜26 follows a different route from Beijing Bus 26. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
运通 Yuntong
101-205		 The prefix 运通 (yùntōng) designates bus routes operated by the Beijing Xianglong Bus Co. Ltd. Yuntong bus routes should not be confused with other Beijing bus routes. For example, Beijing Bus 110 and 运通110 are two distinct bus lines. ¥2.00 for the first 10 km, ¥1.00 for each additional 5 km. ¥1.00 for the first 10 km, ¥0.50 for each additional 5 km.
Beijing Bus No. 1 on Chang'an Boulevard at Tiananmen Square.
A Beijing trolleybus.
Double-Decker Bus No. 特8 in Beijing

Other character designations for bus lines:

The Beijing Yuntong Bus Company operates its own bus routes, which carry the prefix 运通 before the route number. Yuntong bus routes are distinct from the more numerous BPT bus routes, and the two should not be confused. For example, Beijing Bus 110 and 运通110 are two distinct bus lines. Yuntong Bus fares follow the same fare schedule as the BPT buses.

Bus pass

The BPT also offers three-day, seven-day, 14-day and month-long bus passes. Passes are not accepted on Yuntong Buses.

Bus enquiry services

The BPT provides enquiry services via both its official website http://www.bjbus.com and a helpline: +86-10-96166.

Straddling bus (3D Express Coach)

The Beijing Transportation Authorities are experimenting with a new type of public transport vehicle called the 3D Express Coach, also known as the straddling bus. The first straddling bus was expected to begin trial operation in Mentougou District in late 2010.[9]

Taxi

Taxi fares depend on the vehicle type: these start at CNY 13 for the first 3 kilometers, and go up by CNY2.30 per extra kilometer; the per-kilometer charge is based upon the make and model of the vehicle. After 10pm the base fare goes up by 20%. Idling time is also factored into the total fare, which is CNY2.30 (CNY4.60 during rush hours of 07:00−09:00 and 17:00−19:00) per 5 minutes of standing or running at speeds lower than 12 km/h (7.5 mph) . All legal cabs will be part golden yellow or all black in color, and display their permits and paperwork on the dash board and windshield.

There are also many illegal cabs known as 黑车 (heiche, meaning 'Black Cabs' as in "black market" or "illegal"), which operate via a pre-negotiated fare.

Taxi-like services, including Pedicabs, are also widely used. A motorized or manual bicycle is probably the most commonly seen form, although pedicabs are still available in certain parts of the city. These quaint modes of transport also employ the pre-negotiated fare system

In 1999, the environmentally unsound "bread cars" (Minivans) (mianbao che, a.k.a. miandi) were decommissioned in a stringent manner. They used to charge CNY 1 per kilometre. Although it was sound, budget-wise, their poor environmental record and an increasing consciousness of the image of the capital were the factors that landed them in the dumpster. As of 2004, 1.20 RMB/km taxicabs were phased out, and as of 2006 all taxi fares were 2.00 RMB per km with the same 10 RMB starting fare for 3 km rule. The Hyundai Elantra is the common new type of taxi, along with the Volkswagen Jetta CiF.

Intercity transportation

Air

Beijing's main airport is the Beijing Capital International Airport near Shunyi, which is about 20 kilometres northeast of Beijing central business district. Flights from all major international cities land there as well as a large number of domestic flights. The airport has seen a number of expansions. The second terminal opened in 1999, and in 2008 saw the opening of terminal three. The opening of terminal three has seen the airport's capacity increase to be able to handle around 82 million passengers per year.[10]

A second large airport is being planned in Daxing south of Beijing and due to open in 2018, with a long-term capacity of 100 million passengers per year.

Other airports in the city include Liangxiang Airport, Nanyuan Airport, Xijiao Airport and Badaling Airport. However, these are less well-known.

Trains

Stations

Beijing Railway Station
Beijing West Railway Station
Beijing South Railway Station

Beijing has three main railway stations: Beijing Railway Station, Beijing West Railway Station and Beijing South Railway Station. The latter two are among the biggest railway stations in the world. Other railway stations in urban Beijing include: Beijing East, Beijing North, Fengtai, Guanganmen, and Xinghuo. The Hepingli Railway Station is no longer in service.

Railways

Beijing is a major railway hub in China's railway network. The following eight major railways radiate out of Beijing:

The city also hosts a number of high speed railway lines:

Further high speed connections being proposed include links to Shenyang, Tangshan, Zhangjiakou, Kowloon, Taipei, and Taiyuan.

International trains departing from Beijing

There are a number of international trains departing from Beijing to neighbouring countries. The Trans-Siberian train to Ulaan Baatar (Mongolia) and then onto Moscow (Russia) departs from Beijing. There are also trains to Pyongyang (North Korea) and Hanoi (Vietnam) which depart from Beijing. The trains also stop at other cities and towns along the route. International trains currently depart from Beijing West Railway Station and Beijing Railway Station.[11] The following is a guide to the international services which depart Beijing.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.bjjtw.gov.cn/eng/
  2. ↑ "Beijing Expressway Guide"
  3. ↑ "Beijing car ownership exceeds 5 mln"
  4. ↑ "Beijing to launch Olympic odd-even car ban in July" Reuters
  5. 1 2 "Beijing to invest $16 billion in subways" China Daily
  6. ↑ "Subway to go citywide by 2015"
  7. ↑ "Beijing subway investment to hit 331 billion yuan by 2015"
  8. ↑ "Statistics" bjbus.com Accessed 2011-02-03
  9. ↑ McDermon, Daniel (2010-08-05). "Riding High: A Chinese Concept for Bus Transit". Wheels. The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
  10. ↑ "Beijing Capital International Airport Expansion"
  11. ↑ "China - International Trains"
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