Starting with the first trains today (December 27), three new urban rail transit lines and sections have entered trial operation in Beijing: the central section of Subway Line 17 (Workers' Stadium to Shilihe), Line 18 (Malianwa to Tiantongyuandong), and the southern extension of Line 6 (Lucheng to Luyang).

Huilongguan Xidajie Station on Subway Line 18

Subway Line 17 connects major residential and business areas, including Beijing E-Town, the CBD, Future Science City, Tiantongyuan, and Beiqijia. Its southern section (Jiahuihu to Shilihe) and northern section (Workers' Stadium to Future Science City North) had previously opened in phases. The newly opened central section (Shilihe to Workers' Stadium) spans 8.2 kilometers and includes four stations, two of which are interchange stations. Passengers can transfer to Line 6 at Dongdaqiao Station and to Line 1 at Yong'anli Station. Guangqumenwai Station will open at a later date due to integrated construction works.

Regarding operating hours, on Line 17, the first train from Future Science City North Station departs at 5:08, with the last train at 22:30. From Jiahuihu Station, the first train departs at 5:19, and the last at 22:31.

The newly opened section of Subway Line 18 runs from Malianwa Station to Tiantongyuandong Station, passing through Haidian and Changping districts. It has a total of 11 stations, including four interchange stations, allowing transfers to Line 16 at Malianwa Station, Line 8 at Huilongguan Dongdajie Station, Line 5 at Tiantongyuan Station, and Line 17 at Tiantongyuandong Station.

On Line 18, the first train from Tiantongyuandong Station departs at 5:29, with the last at 22:39. From Malianwa Station, the first train departs at 5:39, with the last full-route service at 22:39 and the last short-route service at 23:19.

The southern extension of Line 6 adds one station — Luyang Station — and two kilometers of track, further strengthening Line 6 as a key route connecting Tongzhou District with the city center. At Luyang Station, the first train departs at 5:29, and the last at 23:25.

To meet commuters' needs for connections and transfers, parking facilities for motor vehicles and bicycles have been built around the rail stations.

At Exit A of Luyang Station on the southern extension of Line 6, one car park with 364 spaces, and three bicycle parking areas accommodating 2,600 bikes have been completed. On the central section of Line 17, nine bicycle parking areas have been set up at Panjiayuanxi Station, Yong'anli Station, and Dongdaqiao Station, accommodating 1,220 bikes. Along Line 18, 39 bike parking areas have been built at 11 stations, including Malianwa Station, Shangdi Software Park Station, and Dongbeiwang Station, offering parking for 19,600 bikes.

All new lines are equipped with nursing rooms, family-friendly accessible restrooms, and AED emergency devices, alongside comprehensive assistance systems. At Yong'anli Station, which serves a high number of foreign passengers, multilingual translation devices have been installed, and bilingual signage further improved.

(Source: Beijing Daily)