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If you looked at your WeChat Moments yesterday, you probably saw, scattered in between Christmas market photos and other weekend shenanigans, people getting excited about riding Beijing Subway Line 3, an opening 50 years in the making.
Line 3 was one of three subway lines that opened their doors to the public on Dec 15, along with Line 12 (lead image) and extensions of the Changping Line. We took a ride this morning to see what Line 3 and 12 were like and can confirm they’re already seeing good use.
Line 3 before morning rush hour
At present, both lines are only operating four-car trains, with most of the automatic platform doors cordoned off until normal-length trains begin running – which as of yet is unclear.
Besides being sparkling clean, shiny, and new, a major draw of the trains is the semi-open driver’s area. You can get a somewhat unobstructed view of the whole ride, which is pretty neat.
A draw of the new lines is the ability to get a clear driver's-eye view
We hopped on Line 3 at Workers’ Stadium Station, first taking the train to the western terminus at Dongsishitiao.
The original platform for Line 3 trains has been lying dormant beneath the Line 2 platform for 50 years. Due to the rolling stock for the present iteration of Line 3 being larger than the originally planned platform, this old hall has been transformed into an incredible transfer hall.
The original platform designated for Line 3 at Dongsishitiao Station was converted into a transfer hall
Line 3 travels west from Dongsishitiao to Dongbabei Station, where it connects to Line 12. Transferring here was a breeze, as both trains terminate on one platform and begin on a separate platform.
Of the two, Line 12 was a longer ride, with a ride on the line end-to-end taking around 40 minutes, while Line 3 is only 25 minutes during non-peak hours. Line 12 also has a lot more transfers (see photo below), acting as an east-west connector to a lot of north-south running lines.
Of the two lines, Line 12 boasts the most transfers
Coinciding with the opening of Line 3 is the opening of the new Chaoyang Railway Station Transportation hub. The new underground hub connects passengers to the subway (Line 3), ride hailing and taxi waiting areas, and bus transfers, with transfers expected to take only two minutes, according to local media.
Another highlight, this time in the case of Line 12, is the opening of Gaojiayuan (高家园) Station, which allows art lovers to more easily get to 798 Arts District, with the station being on the south side of the art area. The station will eventually be a transfer point between Line 12 and 14, but the Line 14 connection remains unfinished and it is unclear when this will be realized.
Have you taken a ride on Line 3 or Line 12 yet? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments!
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Images: theBeijingers, 首都建设报
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