As those of us who spend a lot of time in Beijing know, lots of new subway lines/extensions are being built. Line 6, in particular, appears to be a game changer. Apart from relieving Line 1 (the busiest line), it will provide express trains, which don't stop at smaller stations.
To me, this expansion plan has fascinating potential implications:
-it will make Beijing MUCH bigger
-it will be double the size of the Shanghai Metro, which is already the largest in the world
-the much maligned (bad fengshui) south part of the city stands to benefit greatly; I would invest in real estate down there, were it not for the fact that I think the broad market is 50% over valued
-I'm hopeful that the express train idea is so well received that it gets implemented across the majority of the system
-if things go as planned, people will surely become less reliant upon cars/taxis
Yep, I predict Line 6 will be an instant hit and I hope the end-of-2012 projected opening isn't pushed back. Line 7 which parallels south of Line 1 and will go to Beijing West Rail Station, is also going to be goody (and great for Jinsong/Shuangjingers)...but I don't think it's supposed to be ready until late 2013.
moondog
Jan 28, 12, 6:06 am
Yep, I predict Line 6 will be an instant hit and I hope the end-of-2012 projected opening isn't pushed back. Line 7 which parallels south of Line 1 and will go to Beijing West Rail Station, is also going to be goody (and great for Jinsong/Shuangjingers)...but I don't think it's supposed to be ready until late 2013.
They will open it on time (always have in the past).
mnredfox
Jan 28, 12, 12:34 pm
As those of us who spend a lot of time in Beijing know, lots of new subway lines/extensions are being built. Line 6, in particular, appears to be a game changer. Apart from relieving Line 1 (the busiest line), it will provide express trains, which don't stop at smaller stations.
To me, this expansion plan has fascinating potential implications:
-it will make Beijing MUCH bigger
-it will be double the size of the Shanghai Metro, which is already the largest in the world
-the much maligned (bad fengshui) south part of the city stands to benefit greatly; I would invest in real estate down there, were it not for the fact that I think the broad market is 50% over valued
-I'm hopeful that the express train idea is so well received that it gets implemented across the majority of the system
-if things go as planned, people will surely become less reliant upon cars/taxis
2x the size of Shanghai? Doesn't that mean it will be over 2x the size today?
benzemalyonnais
Jan 28, 12, 1:16 pm
As those of us who spend a lot of time in
-it will make Beijing MUCH bigger
-it will be double the size of the Shanghai Metro, which is already the largest in the world
-the much maligned (bad fengshui) south part of the city stands to benefit greatly; I would invest in real estate down there, were it not for the fact that I think the broad market is 50% over valued
-I'm hopeful that the express train idea is so well received that it gets implemented across the majority of the system
-if things go as planned, people will surely become less reliant upon cars/taxis
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Beijing-Subway-Plan.png
There are just so many people in China - all of the new lines will automatically see success. I'm guessing that developers have already bought up and even started residential real estate projects right around all of the future stations.
moondog
Jan 28, 12, 7:32 pm
2x the size of Shanghai? Doesn't that mean it will be over 2x the size today?
Yes. Check out the map.
m.y
Jan 28, 12, 10:03 pm
Some thoughts:
- Any relief to line 1 will be short lived as bus passengers switch to the subway.
- There is no plan to implement express train on any other lines, and there won't be modifications to existing lines. However there is a plan to build a separate express line under line 1, but so far it's just a plan with no concrete timeline.
- Some of the new lines will have longer or wider trains, but those lines are don't go to central Beijing (line 7,14,16), and existing lines might not be able to handle the extra passengers.
moondog
Jan 29, 12, 12:49 am
- Any relief to line 1 will be short lived as bus passengers on Chang'An ave switch to the subway.
Line 7 is scheduled to open in early 2013, and will also relieve line 1 (it happens to serve my local station, Shuangjing).
- There is no plan to implement express train on any other lines, and there won't be modifications to existing lines. However there is a plan to build a separate express line under line 1, but so far it's just a plan.
Hopefully, once people realize how sweet express trains are, they will go into service elsewhere. The last line 2 train from Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai is an express, and it is very popular.
- Some of the new lines will have longer or wider trains, but those lines are don't go to central Beijing (line 7,14,16), and existing lines might not be able to handle the extra passengers.
Interesting about the prospect of wider trains; seems like a potentially disastrous idea. As for 7, 14, and 16, I predict 7 will be a hit from day one, and 14/16 will be viable when they connect with line 10. In case you can't remember, Shuangjing and Jingsong were nothing neighborhoods before line 10 opened, but now real estate values down here are higher than the Dawang Lu part of the CBD.
mnredfox
Jan 29, 12, 2:10 pm
Yes. Check out the map.
Just did, insane. Though this won't solve the massive pollution/congestion problem Beijing has...
trueblu
Jan 29, 12, 7:17 pm
We've already met people who have bought real estate in undeveloped (and cheap) parts of Shunyi which will be connected by subway to Haidian, for commuting to work out here. Still looks like a nightmare commute to me...
...But prices here are crazy -- well above nicer parts of BJ (which doesn't make much sense to me) -- and essentially unaffordable for an academic salary.
tb
moondog
Jan 29, 12, 8:43 pm
We've already met people who have bought real estate in undeveloped (and cheap) parts of Shunyi which will be connected by subway to Haidian, for commuting to work out here. Still looks like a nightmare commute to me...
...But prices here are crazy -- well above nicer parts of BJ (which doesn't make much sense to me) -- and essentially unaffordable for an academic salary.
tb
While I think you're exaggerating a bit (e.g. restaurants in Haidian are considerably cheaper than those in the CBD, Yansha, or Sanlitun), the reason the universities are located up there in the first place is due to a belief that the northwest has superior fengshui. And, in more recent years, the strong economy (~200 public companies in Zhongguancu!) has bolstered real estate values.
trueblu
Jan 30, 12, 12:12 am
While I think you're exaggerating a bit (e.g. restaurants in Haidian are considerably cheaper than those in the CBD, Yansha, or Sanlitun), the reason the universities are located up there in the first place is due to a belief that the northwest has superior fengshui. And, in more recent years, the strong economy (~200 public companies in Zhongguancu!) has bolstered real estate values.
I don't mean restaurant prices -- agree there are more affordable options (but they tend to not be as nice, the nice options appear to be just as expensive). Real estate prices here are, from what I've been told, typically 40k-50k RMB/sq metre -- which is more than what I've heard be bandied about for decent parts of chaoyang. I have to admit that both sets of prices are second hand...so can't swear by the veracity.
I was told it is partly because of the good (public) schools that prices here are expensive. Given the nosebleed costs of private education, it makes sense that an area with good schools drives real estate prices high, just as in the US. Again, all this on hearsay.
tb
drewguy
Feb 1, 12, 8:20 pm
As those of us who spend a lot of time in Beijing know, lots of new subway lines/extensions are being built. Line 6, in particular, appears to be a game changer. Apart from relieving Line 1 (the busiest line), it will provide express trains, which don't stop at smaller stations.
To me, this expansion plan has fascinating potential implications:
-it will make Beijing MUCH bigger
-it will be double the size of the Shanghai Metro, which is already the largest in the world
-the much maligned (bad fengshui) south part of the city stands to benefit greatly; I would invest in real estate down there, were it not for the fact that I think the broad market is 50% over valued
-I'm hopeful that the express train idea is so well received that it gets implemented across the majority of the system
-if things go as planned, people will surely become less reliant upon cars/taxis
Great map. Have you seen one with names in English?
fimo
Feb 1, 12, 11:08 pm
Great map. Have you seen one with names in English?
Here's one, it doesn't map exactly to moondog's chinese version, which looks more current as it has more stations and lines.
BrianMinn
Feb 2, 12, 5:04 am
The best source of subway information is urbanrail.net. Look for Beijing and then Projects, and there is a map in English like moondog's Chinese map--rather a wikipedia link to one.