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Beijing plans for world's longest subway system The Chinese capital
Beijing could have 561 kilometres (349 miles) of subway by 2010 and would
supplant London as having the world's longest transit system, the China
Daily reported.
 The
network, which would stretch to 19 lines, will reach every major corner of
the city, though the plans are still subject to government approval, the
newspaper said.
Cities around China are spending billions of dollars building new subways
or upgrading existing systems to try to beat the often chronic traffic jams
that have come with years of booming economic growth.
Beijing's four metro lines carry 1.5 million people a day, and another
three lines will enter service in time for the 2008 Olympic Games, the
newspaper added.
By comparison, the London Underground's network is 408 kilometres with 11
lines that carry more than three million people a day.
No price tag was given for the Beijing expansion, but the city is
spending some $40 billion to improve infrastructure including road and rail
links for the Olympics.
Beijing is also considering building six underground highways running
north-south and east-west to lighten pressure on its overburdened ring
roads, the Xinhua news agency added, though some experts have opposed the
plan due to safety concerns.
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