With Line 18 (Malianwa – Tiantongyuandong) beginning test run on October 25 following the Line 17 middle section and Line 6 southern extension, all three subway lines/sections scheduled for opening this year have now entered trial operation.

The trial phase lasts no less than 30 days. During the period, the three lines/sections operate under full closed-loop simulated conditions that mirror real service schedules. Key indicators, such as punctuality rates and equipment failure rates, will be comprehensively tested, while emergency response and passenger evacuation drills will be conducted. Once the indicators meet the required standards and pass safety tests, the three lines/sections covering about 30.1 kilometers will be approved for opening.

Line 18 (Malianwa – Tiantongyuandong), running about 19.8 kilometers through Haidian and Changping districts, is a key east-west corridor in northern Beijing. It features 11 stations, including four interchange stations: Malianwa Station (providing transfer to Line 16), Huilongguan Dongdajie Station (to Line 8), Tiantong Yuan Station (to Line 5), and Tiantongyuandong Station (to Line 17). Once in operation, Line 18 will directly cater to the commuting needs of large residential communities like Tiantongyuan and Huilongguan, thereby relieving the transport pressure from Huilongguan-Tiantongyuan area to Shangdi Software Park.

Line 17 is a key high-capacity route traversing the city from south to north, connecting residential areas including those close to Tiantongyuan, Wangjing Xi, Taiyanggong, and Panjiayuan Stations. Its southern section (Jiahuihu – Shilihe) and northern section [Workers' Stadium – Weilaikexuechengbei (Future Science City North)] have been in operation since 2021 and 2023, respectively. The mid-section, stretching around 8.2 kilometers from Shilihe Station to Workers' Stadium Station, features four stations. The two extant sections will be connected via the mid-section once it is completed, thereby reducing the travel time from Jiahuihu Station to Weilaikexuechengbei (Future Science City North) Station to only 66 minutes. It will also help ease the passenger flows on Lines 5 and 10, as well as the transport pressure in surrounding areas.

Line 6, the east-west backbone route of Beijing's central urban area, has been extended southward for approximately 2.1 kilometers. The extended part, starting from the existing Lucheng Station, along Yunhe East Street, and terminating at Luyang Station, is an important component of the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center's railway network. It is designed to greatly relieve Beijing of the functions nonessential for the capital, enhancing green transport, and strengthen the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center's transport infrastructure.

(Source: Beijing Daily)