Beijing¡¯s new No. 5 subway line

Beijing’s new Number 5 subway line is now being tested. The plan is that it will open in September. It will be Beijing’s first north-south underground line and is equipped with new technology. It will, of course, be open in plenty of time for the Olympics and can be regarded as part of Beijing’s Olympic legacy.

There are LCD screens on the platforms and in the trains with schedule information — and they can broadcast live TV signals. Which some passengers may regard a blessing. Others the reverse. Thus during next year’s games, passengers on the way to an event won’t miss any of the action while they’re traveling although it will be television not live. And, yes, there is a difference.

This is Beijing’s first subway line equipped with an integrated information system. Indeed, as far as can be ascertained this is probably a first in the world.

Passengers can check out the latest train schedule and city information.

All platforms have glass walls to prevent passengers’ falling onto the railway. The carriage floor is made of non-slip materials. And, sad to report, mobile phone signals can be picked up on every inch of the line.