Beijing launched two new suburban railways on the last day of 2017. The first -- the Beijing sub-center railway -- connects Shijingshan District in the west and Tongzhou District in the east. With a length of 38.8 km, the railway stops at five stations: the Yamenkou Station, the Beijing West Railway Station, the Beijing Railway Station, the Beijing East Railway Station, and the Tongzhou Station, four of which are now open. With the new railway, it takes 48 minutes from the Beijing West Railway Station to the Tongzhou Station and 28 minutes from the Beijing Railway Station to the Tongzhou Station.
The new railway is expected to bring relief to the public commute demands between downtown Beijing and its subsidiary administration center in Tongzhou District. The city will build supporting temporary roads and public transportation facilities on the perimeter of the Beijing East Railway Station, and realign the bus lines surrounding the Tongzhou Station to adjust to the new Beijing sub-center railway.
The Huairou-Miyun railway also began operations on Dec. 31, 2017, connecting Beijing's three suburban districts. The railway starts from the Huangtudian Station at Changping District and stretches northwest to end at the Gubeikou Station in Miyun District, with a length of 135.6 km and the running time of 82 minutes. Three stations, namely, Huangtudian, Changping North and Huairou North, open this time, leaving three other stations to be opened at later dates. With a capacity of carrying 900 passengers, the Huairou-Miyun railway links the Zhongguancun Science City with the Huairou Science City, while reinforcing transportation capabilities between Huairou District and Miyun District.
The two suburban railways will adopt the same fare system as Beijing's subway lines.