New subway line to open in Beijing ahead of National Day

BEIJING: Beijing is to open a new subway line ahead of Oct. 1, the National Day of the People's Republic of China, said the city's transport authorities.

The No. 4 subway line, which runs through the heart of the city from south to north, is 28.2 km long with 24 stations. It is expected to handle more than 400,000 passengers a day.

Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2009 shows the platform of Yuanmingyuan Park station on Subway Line 4 in Beijng, capital of China. [Xinhua]

Media have reported the new line would be put into use on Sept.25 or 28, but a spokesman with the Beijing Municipal Committee of Transport told Xinhua Tuesday the final date was yet to be decided.

Currently, Beijing has eight subway

Workers clean glass doors at National Library station on Subway Line 4 in Beijng, capital of China, Sept. 21, 2009.[Xinhua]