Beijing's first maglev line to start service late 2017

BEIJING -- Beijing's first medium-low speed maglev line is scheduled to start operation at the end of the year, the line operator said Saturday.

Beijing Subway said it was preparing test runs.

Trains will stop at seven of the eight stations in the initial period as the Pingguoyuan interchange station is still under renovation and is expected to start service in late 2019, it said.

A total of 10 trains will be put into use in the first stage of operation.

With a maximum speed of 80 km per hour, the train is designed to carry a maximum 1,032 passengers at a time.

The line, with a total length of 10.2 km, will help improve transport for the suburban Mentougou district and optimize the industrial structure in Shijingshan district, it said.

Maglev trains are safer and cheaper compared to current metro and light rail cars. Electromagnets and specially designed tracks prevent the trains from overturning or derailing. They can also operate in severe weather with much less noise and zero emissions.